Can Pinot Make You Van Gogh?: Pick up a brush, a glass and find out at aMuse Uncorked.

May 30, 2014 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

I’ve always envied those who are born with artistic talent. I’m convinced that it must be innate because, well, it’s not that I haven’t tried.

As a child, I was one of the few students who didn’t bolt out of my seat to dash down the hall when the bell rang, excited for art class. Try as I might, I just couldn’t progress beyond the stick-figure stage, let alone master shadows or perspective.

I became especially aware of my artistic shortcomings back in the eighth grade, when I chose what I thought would be an easy assignment—sketching one lone eyeball in pen and ink. I spent weeks on that blasted twinkly lashed orb and, despite my Herculean efforts, I just couldn’t get the “gleam” right.

Of course, my art teacher, observing the picture I was trying to recreate, saw a million shades of grey that were invisible to my naked eye. And then there was the time, in my mid-20s, when I enrolled in a pottery class held in Reservoir Park. Armed with cookie cutters, I was proud of myself as I cleverly stamped out designs for a set of chimes, until I witnessed the showoff beside me carving a Mayan sun god into a platter. I imagine the tween’s parents must have been pretty smug the day he brought that home.

Years have passed, and I haven’t ventured into the art arena since. So, when I heard about aMuse Uncorked Sip and Paint nights, I was intrigued and jumped at the chance—to sit in the audience as an observer, that is.

On the night I attended, several dozen budding artists donned smocks and gathered around tables in a large, brightly lit room at Harrisburg’s Passage to India restaurant. Adie and Bryan Hanisko, who run the business, stood nearby, overseeing operations.

“We launched the idea about a year ago after attending similar events in larger cities,” Bryan said. “We attended one in New York City and, as we began our research, we discovered that they were popular in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. So, we decided to start one here.”

The two-hour classes cost $39 and are held at area restaurants, bars and wineries. The Haniskos also bring their paints and palettes to private parties.

Your Inner Artist

One by one, eager participants arrived on a chilly evening and sat side-by-side, facing blank canvases perched on miniature easels. The predominantly female group socialized with their neighbors, ordering appetizers and drinks from Passage to India staff while waiting for the painting party to begin.

All eyes were on Harrisburg resident Lindsey Weaver as she strode to the front of the room then gave step-by-step instructions on how to complete the evening’s project—“The Eiffel Tower at Night.” Weaver, who has a master’s degree in art therapy from Penn State, instructed the class to feel free to “move about the cabin” to observe others and, most importantly, “just have fun.”

Many of the participants socialized as they grabbed paintbrushes and paper-plate palettes and went to town on their canvasses. Alyssa Iddings, who sat with several friends, explained how she learned of aMuse Uncorked painting classes.

“One of my Facebook friends attended one, and I thought it would be a lot of fun. The four of us have kids in preschool together, and it’s a nice night out with the girls,” she said.

Harrisburg resident and area artist Reina Wooden said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the event. “We’re sitting with others who aren’t artists, listening to feedback and learning from each other. The atmosphere removes the barrier from being critiqued,” she said, adding that the wine, music and food add to the comfortable and casual feel of the classes.

Those who feel they lack artistic talent shouldn’t feel intimidated, said Weaver. “We work under the assumption that the participants have no experience whatsoever, so we break every piece into manageable, teachable parts.”

Paint Break

Leena Shenoy, owner of Passage to India, decided to take time out of her busy evening to participate.

“It’s fun. You don’t have to know how to paint; you just go with the flow and it comes out,” she said.

Manager Avelino Furtado joined her. “It’s very relaxing and gets me away from the hustle and stress,” he said, as he placed the finishing touches on the night sky with a flourish by flicking the brush around to add the colorful “confetti stars.”

The Haniskos continue to add classes as more people learn of the events. Each session features a different painting subject, so many attendees return with additional friends. Past painting projects lined the back of the wall at the restaurant, including a “couple’s painting” featuring fish, that, when placed together, formed a heart. The couple explained that they work with their staff as a team to choose subjects.

“We learn what’s trending in home décor and try to determine what people would like to display in their home,” said Adie.

At the end of the evening, everyone gathered together—with their finished artwork—for a group picture, and not one bad painting was evident.

I might have to venture out of my comfort zone, sign up for classes and break that streak.

For more information on times, classes, paintings and places, visit www.amuseuncorked.com.

Make Art, Not War: Gettysburg Fest gives you another reason to visit the famous Civil War town.

May 30, 2014 | by Missy Smith

Art lovers take note.

Gettysburg may be synonymous with “battlefield,” but, for five days this month, the town will be more about art than armaments. At Gettysburg Fest’s seventh annual event, you can view a vibrant collection of visual art, listen to an eclectic lineup of musical acts, smell and taste culinary works of art, and feel the depth of art-stimulating experiences.

Held at Gettysburg College as well as businesses “on the fringe” of the campus ground, Gettysburg Fest will treat attendees to a wide variety of art events from June 11 to June 15, with more than half of the events free and open to the public.

“[Gettysburg Fest is] a vibrant showcase of the best local, regional and national performing, visual and culinary arts, but in a more action-packed package,” explains Executive Director Randy Prasse. “History and the unique ‘Gettysburg brand’ is something we are respectful of—but the Gettysburg Fest is about contemporary art and culture in Gettysburg. “

When founding Creative Director Karl Held and organizers created the festival seven years ago to showcase American arts and culture, Gettysburg was the natural fit.

“It could have been located anywhere—Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia—but the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Governor’s Awards for the Arts (under former Gov. Ed Rendell) were held in Gettysburg,” explains Prasse. “That was really the springboard for selecting Gettysburg as the home of the new Gettysburg Fest.”

Prasse says that Gettysburg Fest staff members aim to create an exciting and dynamic festival with several initiatives in mind. For local folks, Prasse says that the festival is an accessible and appealing way for people to celebrate their community. A major festival like Gettysburg Fest also drives local economic growth and helps employers participating in the “fringe program” (businesses located beyond festival grounds) to gain and keep customers. Of course, Gettysburg’s history is, in and of itself, a major draw for tourists, so the festival seeks to enhance people’s traveling experiences and local history interests with a rich music and arts experience.

“Our new partnership with Gettysburg College offers a venue—with Civil War battlefield history— that you just cannot top,” explains Prasse. “Two of our three stages are set up on the north and south portico of Pennsylvania Hall.”

Performing against this backdrop are a variety of musical acts, including country music singer Eric Paslay and alt-country indie folk rock band The Lone Bellow.

“We are producing entertainment ranging from traditional brass bands to alternative rock and country; from classical chamber music and comedy to high impact theatrical productions,” says Prasse. “I love not being branded as a set kind of festival. It makes it fun to produce and even more fun to attend.”

Because many attendees requested that the festival host more local musicians, it will feature a “Boys Are Back in Town” evening, featuring local artists who have found success throughout the United States.

With “plein air” style painting all the rage, Gettysburg Fest also will feature local, regional and mid-Atlantic artists painting outdoors on the battlefield and displaying their work in the festival’s Plein Air Show. Artists will also go head-to-head in a “quick draw” competition, in which they must create a painting in under two hours. Other artists will showcase their work in various exhibitions and an art market and bazaar. Art enthusiasts will experience paintings in a variety of styles, as well as photography, sculptures, barn artwork, student art, history portrayed through artwork, colonial demonstrations and more.

“The artists are as varied as the people who will be attending the Fest, so it should be a great dynamic,” says Prasse. “We will also focus on hands-on, fun but educational activities for the entire family—with a number of ‘make and take’ art projects for kids to enjoy after they go home.”

Culinary arts provide a tasty art experience at the festival. Gettysburg Fest will host a Victorian tea, an edible art tour, a pairing of barbecue and blues music, and, new this year, a waiter-waitress obstacle course challenge. On Father’s Day, June 15, stage and screen actor Stephen Lang will perform his one-man show “Beyond Glory,” in which he gives dramatic performances of war veterans’ oral histories.

“Stephen loves Gettysburg and has done so many projects here,” says Prasse. “It will be a very special show.”

Gettysburg is a very moving and exciting place for local people and travelers intrigued and emotionally connected to the history. For Prasse, hosting the festival in such a historic setting is something especially unique about Gettysburg Fest. “That is very humbling for me to produce this exciting, contemporary festival—literally with such an iconic structure as its backdrop.”

Gettysburg Fest takes place June 11 to 15 at Gettysburg College and nearby locations in town. For more information, visit https://gettysburgfestival.org.

Briefcase Full of Fun: Sunshine, a generous pour and the blues at Dauphin County Music and Wine Festival.

May 30, 2014 | by Jess Hayden

The music keeps getting better for Curtis Salgado, a 40-year veteran of the rhythm and blues scene.

This vocalist, songwriter and harmonica icon recently won the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year awards from the Blues Music Foundation. And if those honors weren’t enough, he also won Soul Blues Album of the Year for his latest CD “Soul Shot.”

“We cover everything that’s under the umbrella of R&B,” Salgado said when asked to describe his band’s repertoire. “About 70 percent of the songs are originals, written by yours truly. The other songs are classic R&B stuff.”

And now, lucky for us, he’s coming to the Harrisburg area. Salgado and his band will be tearing up the stage this month during a headlining spot at the Dauphin County Music and Wine Festival.

As in the past, the festival spans an entire weekend, June 14 to 15. Saturday’s line-up includes Curtis Salgado Band, Dana Fuchs, Lisa Chavous & The Philadelphia Blues Messengers, The Cornlickers, The Humblers, Ben Brandt & Co. and Wake Up Call. Sunday is New Orleans Day and will feature Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Maxwell Project, The Passionettes, Urban Souls and No Last Call.

That’s just the music portion. Depending on your tastes, the wine and food may be equally important. So, 12 of Pennsylvania’s best wineries will offer free tastings, and a host of craft and food vendors will feed the crowd. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and a picnic basket.

The Headliner

Salgado has had a long career with many impressive highlights.

He fronted his group, the Nighthawks, was co-star of The Robert Cray Band, and sang with Roomful of Blues. He spent a summer singing with Santana, and he and his band even toured with The Steve Miller Band. He has performed at festivals all over the world, including The Chicago Blues Festival, Memphis’ Beale Street Music Festival, Thailand’s Phuket International Blues Festival and Poland’s Blues Alive Festival.

Salgado also is an authority on all things R&B. His living room is full of old LPs and 78s, as well as CDs and videotapes of blues, jazz, funk, rock ‘n’ roll and soul artists. In concert, his repertoire is peppered with songs by some of his R&B heroes.

“I like to dig up the real obscure stuff that nobody really knows unless they were a collector or something,” he says.

Teacher, Muse

His musical achievements aside, perhaps one of the more defining moments of Salgado’s career was when he had a chance meeting with actor and comedian John Belushi back in 1977. He was playing a gig at the Eugene Hotel in Eugene, Ore., when Belushi, who was in the area filming “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” wandered into the lounge. As the story goes, Belushi became so mesmerized by the then 25-year-old blues player that he insisted on talking to him.

“I didn’t even know who John Belushi was and had never heard of “Saturday Night Live,’” said Salgado, who, at the time, didn’t own a TV and played out so much that he didn’t have time to watch one anyway.

Salgado said that Belushi told him that he liked his music and harmonica playing and had a friend named Dan Aykroyd who also played the harmonica. Salgado remembers thinking, “Oh great, that’s just what the world doesn’t need. Another harmonica player.”

The two really didn’t connect until Belushi happened to mention that he had to fly back to New York to do a filming of “Saturday Night Live” during which Ray Charles would perform. At the mention of his hero’s name, Salgado started regaling Belushi with little known details about Charles’ career.

Belushi, who wanted to learn more about the blues, knew that, in Salgado, he had found a teacher. After that, the pair met regularly to pore over old blues records, many of them collected by Salgado’s parents. They even performed together a few times at the Eugene Hotel before the filming ended and the actor left town. “What I was,” said Salgado, “was John Belushi’s muse.”

Soon after, when Belushi and Aykroyd created the Blues Brothers act, Belushi gave credit for its inspiration to Salgado. He insisted that Salgado’s name be listed in the early articles on The Blues Brothers and dedicated their defining album, “Briefcase Full of Blues,” to him. Salgado, who always played wearing dark shades and a soul patch under his lower lip, was even recognized for influencing The Blues Brothers’ look on stage.

Salgado and his band are coming to the festival thanks to a recommendation by the Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania.

“The Blues Society has a really sweet deal with the Dauphin County Music and Wine Festival,” said Rocky Rothrock, the group’s president. “The county wanted to have a day for blues, and so they approached us for help. We provide a lot of volunteers to help with the festival, and we give them suggestions for the acts to book.”

Indeed, Salgado’s approach to music seems perfect for the festival, which, combining music, wine and food, is all about enjoying oneself on a warm summer day.

“We play blues and soul and R&B and funk and rock ‘n’ roll—we do it all,” he says. “You can call it whatever you want to call it. We just call it a good time.”

The Dauphin County Music and Wine Festival runs June 14 to 15, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front Street, Harrisburg. Advance ticket sales are $25, and admission is $30 at the gate. Children age 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are good for both days and may be purchased at Mr. Mike’s Records, the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation office at Fort Hunter Park and online at www.DauphinCounty.org.

Flag Day, 1914: A century ago, Harrisburg celebrated a unique gift.

May 30, 2014 | by Jason Wilson

This June 14 marks the 100^th anniversary of the transfer of the commonwealth’s Civil War flags to the Capitol’s main rotunda.

It was also the last time the aged veteran bearers carried the colors that they had carried during the Civil War. They had been offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Harrisburg to be honored for their service and to transfer their beloved colors to the cases that had been designed specifically for the flags in 1911.

The flag-bearers met outside the old Library and Museum building well before the 1 p.m. assembly time, and each was handed the furled color that they had carried during the war. Many of the men wept openly upon holding the colors again, and the parade was delayed slightly while they regained their composure.

In the end, the parade began nearly on time at 2 p.m. and followed 4th Street to Market then on to Front and up State Street to the Capitol’s steps with the ceremony beginning at 3:15. As the veterans turned up State Street, the six companies of the National Guard formed an honor guard fringing the sides of the street, which were thronged with masses of people eager to see the veterans and their colors.

The ceremony began with a playing of the song “Pennsylvania,” followed by the invocation and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Gov. John K. Tener made a short welcome speech, followed by Sen. Martin of the Flag Transfer Commission.

Martin stated that the colors needed no eulogy and that their history was written in the blood of thousands of loyal Pennsylvanians who fought and died to preserve the nation. He further asked that they be preserved for all time as a tribute to fallen heroes and an inspiration of loyalty and patriotism. More music followed, as did a keynote address by Maj. Moses Veale of the 109^th PA. He recounted how truly young the men were who went off to war and assessed the contributions of the entire generation to the strength of the nation. “America” was then sung, and the benediction ended the ceremony.

As the band played a medley of Civil War tunes, the veterans placed their banners one by one in the Capitol’s main rotunda.

All told, 352 flags representing some 340,000 veterans of the commonwealth were carried and commemorated that day. The parade and ceremony were touted as among the most memorable and emotional events in Harrisburg’s history, not just for the participants but for thousands of residents who watched the procession. It was highly photographed and one of the first events to be filmed by the Harrisburg Telegraph and shown in local theaters.

Within several decades, the veterans who bore the colors would be gone, but the flags that they carried remain and were removed from the rotunda and preserved in 1985. They remain as a lasting testament and tangible connection to the valor of Pennsylvania’s Civil War soldiers and one of the largest single collections of Civil War flags in the nation.

Jason Wilson is an historian with the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee.

Instruments of Peace: At Pine Street Presbyterian, a common bond, a shared hope.

May 30, 2014 | by Paul Barker

On Monday, May 5, a few hours after the Supreme Court ruled to permit prayer at local government meetings, thereby opening another large hole in America’s rather porous wall between church and state, a modest crowd gathered in the pews of Pine Street Presbyterian, in downtown Harrisburg, to chip away at the barriers between church and church.

The occasion was the 6^th Annual Commonwealth Interfaith Prayer Service, an event that celebrates, as a promotional flyer put it, the “rich diversity of faith traditions in Pennsylvania.” Among the participants, in addition to the home-team Presbyterians, were representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faiths, a Roman Catholic, an Old Catholic, a Methodist, a Quaker, a Unitarian, a Mormon, a Baptist, two members of the Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Harrisburg and a Buddhist priest from the Blue Mountain Lotus Society.

Pine Street’s nave was hung with white felt banners—“VICTORY OVER DEATH,” “HE IS RISEN.” As people filed in, Scott Siciliano, with the Colonial Park United Church of Christ, played hymns like “For the Beauty of the Earth” on a wooden harp. Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pine Street’s pastor, offered a word of welcome, beginning with the announcement of an offering for Downtown Daily Bread and a warning about parking. “And now it is a pleasure to introduce to you two public servants who are committed to interfaith dialogue,” he said. Eric Papenfuse, mayor of Harrisburg, and George Hartwick III, Dauphin County commissioner, took their positions at the lecterns flanking the altar.

Papenfuse spoke first, saying he was “particularly moved” by the night’s theme, “Prayers for Justice and Peace.” “Pray that we seek to inspire a new atmosphere of civility in our communities and that we commit to treat each other with love and respect,” he urged. (At a City Council meeting the next night, as if to demonstrate this petition’s urgency, one of the mayor’s senior officials engaged in a public spat with the council president, while Papenfuse shook his head in a seat nearby.) He requested prayers for peaceful streets and for justice “that provides comfort for those who have suffered,” building to a characteristically ambitious conclusion: “May our united prayers bless our city, envelop our people and ignite a spiritual renaissance to make our capital a model of hope for the entire nation.”

Hartwick, who had been chatting genially with a constituent in the pews up until the service began, said the event showed “how through example we can start to rally around the fundamental principles which underlie each of our religions.” He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness does not drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Then, after a pocketful of “whereas” clauses, he proclaimed the day—“May 5, Cinco de Mayo”—as the “6^th Annual Prayers for Justice and Peace Day in Dauphin County.”

The public servants dismounted and headed for the pews. Rabbi Carl Choper, the president of the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania, spoke about “how wondrous” it was that the prayer service was “here at all.” “Many people might take our ability to gather here like this in one room very much for granted,” he said. He recalled learning in elementary school about the 1649 Maryland Act of Religious Toleration. “Only as an adult,” he said, “did I learn that what was presented to us students as an ‘act of toleration’ called in its first article for toleration of anyone who accepted the Trinity, and the death penalty for everyone else.”

The final word of welcome came from the Rev. Sandra Strauss, one of the event’s organizers and its media contact. Strauss is the director of public advocacy for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, one of the interfaith service’s founding sponsors. A perusal of the links on the council’s public advocacy website, under the heading TAKE ACTION!, gives a sense of its concerns—the gas and oil industries, women’s rights, education, torture and especially poverty. “The purpose is not really to lobby,” she said later. “It’s to get people to take action based on their faith.”

“It seems like only yesterday when a small group of intrepid folks passionate about interfaith relationships gathered around a table…to attempt to pull off an ambitious interfaith service around the theme of justice and peace,” she said from the lectern. The first event, though a success, “only scratched the surface of the richness that exists in our many traditions.” In subsequent years, the group sought additional sponsors and yet more diverse prayer traditions. “And so, here we are again,” Strauss concluded. “A tapestry woven together by our common bond of humanity and the shared hope for a better world.”

“Amen,” said a few folks in the pews. Then, quite suddenly, from the back of the church, came a series of low, twanging strikes on a drum. People turned to see a barefoot man in a white robe processing up the aisle, a stole draped over his shoulders bearing images of dragonflies. This was the Oshō Geoffrey Dunaway, of the Blue Mountain Lotus Society, which follows in the tradition of socially engaged Buddhism. He approached a small shrine on the altar, chanting, and then conducted a short ceremony to, as he explained later, “open the altar space.” He sprinkled water from a pine sprig in each of the cardinal directions, then lit incense and rang a bell, while a photographer who had accessed a loft space took photos from above.

Following the procession was a series of invocations from the Abrahamic faiths: a Jewish call to worship, blown on a shofar, an instrument traditionally made from the horn of a ram; a Christian call to worship; and an Islamic call to prayer. Ahmad Bhatti, of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Division Street, gave the latter from the lectern, hands cupped around his ears, palms outward, singing in a faintly nasal meandering melody.

Then came a sequence of prayers, songs, narrations and group responses that bore witness to the remarkable variety of the service’s more than 30 co-sponsors. A choir from the Metropolitan Community Church, on Jefferson Street near Italian Lake, sang a version of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Ashok Shukla, of the Hindu American Religious Institute, delivered a mantra: “May there be peace, peace, perfect peace.” The Market Square Ringers, a bell choir from Market Square Presbyterian, played a lovely song called “Celebration and Grace,” brass bells flashing in their black gloves. Penbrook United Church of Christ’s Rebecca Boone, constrained to a chair by a sprained ankle, offered a waist-up liturgical dance to James Taylor’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.” (Before this, there was even a nod to Nietzsche, who wrote he would “believe only in a God that knows how to dance”—or, at least, who wrote that so spake Zarathustra.)

Dave Johnston, of the Harrisburg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, which convenes each Sunday in a meetinghouse at the corner of N. 6^th and Herr, provided a meditation on what you might call supplication by subtraction. “We sit in silence,” Johnston said of Quaker prayer, “and if we’re moved to speak, we speak.” He asked the assembled to pause with him for a few moments’ silence, during which all the mostly missed noises came suddenly in range of hearing: the roar of one’s own thoughts, the pew-wood clicking.

At the end of the service, after a warm benediction by the Rev. Dr. James Jackson of Goodwin Memorial Baptist on Green Street, Rabbi Eric Cytryn of Uptown’s Beth El Temple strummed a guitar and sang “Oseh Shalom.” The prayerful dispersed from the pews, some to heed Sullivan’s warning about the garages, others for refreshments at a reception behind the sanctuary. This was the best part of the event, Strauss said later: “It’s seeing all of these people from different faith traditions, different color, different dress, talking after the service.”

“Every time we pray, our horizon is altered,” the Most Rev. Michael Scalzi of the mid-Atlantic diocese of the Old Catholic Church narrated at one point in the service. He was quoting the Scottish evangelist Oswald Chambers on the virtues of prayer, but he may as well have been extolling the virtues of a diverse society. “Our attitude to things is altered, not sometimes but every time. And the amazing thing is that we don’t pray more.”

Kiddie Ka-boom: At the Book Blast, children sparkle with delight for the written word.

May 30, 2014 | by Brigette Barto

In the back alcove of the Midtown Scholar, rows of chairs line the center of the room, filled with children and their parents. The founder and host of the program introduces himself to the eager audience before him.

“I’m Mike Srgignoli, and this is The Children’s Book Blast.”

Author Cynthia A. Sudor sits beside him in her flashy red boots and studded jean jacket. She’s here to introduce her latest book “Adventures at Green Apple Acres,” which features her star character Shiloh the barn mouse and his cast of animal friends.

With hands raised to ask questions, the children express their fascination with the story behind the book, learning that the moral of the tale reveals how we shouldn’t judge each other. Amid audible chatter between parents and children, one can’t help but feel the enthusiasm in the room.

Children’s author Wendy Latty joins the conversation halfway in, discussing her new book, “Colors in the Garden.” She reads aloud a portion, demonstrating the cadence of the wording she used. The audience is enthralled with her use of color in the story, and she explains how artists can’t replicate the colors we find in nature. Parents are eager to find out where these books are sold and how they can find similar books from other local authors.

The Children’s Book Blast began on a summer day in June 2012 and has been captivating the hearts and minds of children and parents ever since.

“I’m a huge believer in the value of reading to your children,” says Srgignoli, founder of the Book Blast.

From someone who started out driving around selling Yellow Pages books, Mike has certainly expanded his horizons. Always marketing-minded, he started this monthly event because he wanted to create a venue where writers could connect.

“All writers want to gain an audience,” Mike says. “Why beat our heads against a wall individually? Let’s do it together.”

With a passion for people and a large amount of networking, Mike quickly gained exposure for the new series.

“It’s neat that Harrisburg is behind stuff like this,” Mike says. “There are a lot of talented people here.”

Each event features two local children’s authors, who share their work with parents and children by providing background and explanations of their work.

Some read a portion of the book aloud as wide-eyed children listen in awe. The authors are eager to share their thoughts and insights with the audience, captivating the listeners with their emotion and excitement. Children are encouraged to participate and ask questions—and do so with delight.

The program showcases writers within the community who have made a worldwide contribution to writing and children. By featuring local authors, the Book Blast provides youth in Harrisburg with positive role models, encourages reading and inspires them to write.

“I am constantly looking for fun and inviting activities for my children,” says Todd Burnham, father of five. “The Book Blast is an innovative modern program for the area. My children enjoy the contemporary aspect of the program, the Skype interaction with an author who is at a different location. The Book Blast definitely was an activity that my kids are still talking about months after.”

In addition, it offers camaraderie and support for local children’s authors.

“It gives people more depth,” author Wendy Latty says. “Any time you can talk about your books, what’s behind the scenes, reasons why you did what you did, it helps.”

These writers aren’t simply introducing kids to new things; they are also inspiring them through their words and illustrations.

“There’s something about the touch of paper that people love,” Mike says. “Illustrations are better on paper than on an iPad or Kindle.”

Another benefit of the Book Blast is that it directly connects the author with the reader.

“It’s like meeting a local celebrity,” Burnham says. “My daughters now have a prized collection of books signed by the authors. More people should come to this program to meet local authors and to learn something new themselves. The children often leave the program with new books, new ideas and new friends.”

Mike runs the Book Blast on a volunteer basis, so his drive is propelled solely by his love for writing and people.

“I don’t get paid for this, but it’s really a quid pro quo,” he explains. “Everyone’s in it for the same reason. That’s why it works so well.”

His plan for the future?

“I want to keep doing what we’re doing.” he says. “Harrisburg is our hub, but I do plan to take it to various other venues across the state.”

In fact, the Book Blast recently was in Doylestown at the Doylestown Bookshop.

Mike has succeeded in creating a small community of writers and readers who truly want to engage in the literary culture.

“I’m not an introvert. I’ll talk to anyone about anything,” he adds.

The Book Blast is the perfect opportunity for Mike to utilize his love for children, books and writing. In the process, he introduces kids to local authors, shows them the writing process and encourages parents to read to their children.

Throughout the entire process of making this series happen, Mike doesn’t seem to have forgotten what most of us learned as children—that things get done when you work together.

Keep up to date by visiting the group’s Facebook page: Children’s Book Blast.

Eyesore No More: On Hummel Street, once-dilapidated townhouses soon will find new life housing the homeless.

May 30, 2014 | by Missy Smith

On the 200-block of Hummel Street sat a collection of eyesores—a situation too common in urban communities like Harrisburg.

The houses were dilapidated, a detriment to the neighborhood’s appearance, and they occupied precious space that could accommodate a portion of the city’s homeless population.

Two Harrisburg organizations stepped up to breathe new life into this neglected part of the city. In Extreme Home Makeover-style, PinnacleHealth and Brethren Housing Association (BHA) are rehabbing homes that fell into disrepair and are building modern, clean amenities for families in need that will call the townhouses home.

Back in January, PinnacleHealth, BHA and city officials broke ground on Hummel Street, where they will transform six blighted buildings into five modern houses for homeless single mothers and their children. This cooperative effort is hugely significant for Harrisburg’s homeless and BHA’s work.

“We have just dealt with an overwhelming amount of people calling and asking for help, but we are at maximum capacity,” says BHA Executive Director Steve Schwartz, explaining that, because the organization only has 16 apartments, it has been forced to turn away between 100 and 150 families. “To be able to help five more families, we will increase our traditional housing capacity by 25 percent.”

The project began after major players of both organizations began discussing how they could work together for a good cause. “Wouldn’t it be nice to develop something really meaningful that impacts our community directly?’” says Phil Guarnescelli, COO of PinnacleHealth, reflecting on how their partnership began.

At the time, Guarnescelli was successfully managing $308 million in construction and renovation projects, so BHA staff members felt that his experience and connections could be helpful with their rehab projects.

When Guarnescelli visited BHA, he became inspired to do the project, in which the organizations would gather contractors to donate labor and materials to the cause and unveil a completely rehabbed, attractive final product.

“As we walked out of the front door of our office, [Guarnescelli] looked at the dilapidated building across the street and said ‘like that building there; we would love to take that and turn it into housing for homeless families.’ Phil’s enthusiasm continued, and he got the leadership of PinnacleHealth on board,” says Schwartz. “By the summer of 2013, we were in the midst of a design process with Murray Associates, who agreed to donate their services as architect to the project.”

Then this last fall, the organization worked on acquiring the properties, which was tedious at times, as some of the owners live out of town and were difficult to track down. After PinnacleHealth purchased the homes, Guarnescelli got in contact with Michael Young, president and CEO of PinnacleHealth, who linked him with contractors that work closely with the non-profit. In March, demolition got underway.

Reynolds Construction, Pyramid Construction, McClure Company, GR Sponaugle & Sons, Edwin L. Heim Co., Murray Associates, Macri Concrete, Pennsy Supply, H. Edward Black & Associates and Carter Lumber have all signed on to donate time, labor, services and materials to the project. In addition, Benedict Dubbs, principal at Murray Associates, has worked on the demolition and architecture plans pro bono.

“Everybody stepped up to the plate and helped out,” says Guarnescelli.

Construction of the $925,000 project began this spring, and, within six months, BHA and PinnacleHealth expect to have the five townhouses finished. Once the homes are up, BHA will continue to provide rehabilitated housing in Allison Hill to help women and children transition out of homelessness.

BHA places families in their homes through referrals from local shelters, which can accommodate people for only about 30 days. Others either call the organization or walk into their offices seeking help. For families with long-term problems, BHA assists them for a year or two, working on the issues that made them homeless.

“This project is so cool. What really turned me on to it was the ‘teach a man to fish’ [philosophy],” says Guarnescelli.

This is the sentiment that BHA brings to the project. BHA works with its clients to develop career plans, gain job skills, obtain an education and increase skills in parenting and budgeting.

“The more young moms with their kids in a stable upbringing, [the healthier they will be],” says Schwartz.

This partnership is a natural fit for both organizations, as they independently support the health and wellness of the people in their community. Guarnescelli says that PinnacleHealth has a major interest in supporting families in need. “These are the kids we will be taking care of, and our goal is to keep people out of the hospital,” he says.

These organizations highlight what people can do when they’re invested in elevating the community that they love.

“There are a lot of committed people in this neighborhood who are concerned about the decline in Allison Hill,” says Schwartz. “This is a really transformative project. This is going to be a neighborhood centerpiece when it is done.”

Lend a Hand

Interested in pitching in to make this a successful project?

For cash contributions, please make out checks to Brethren Housing Association and mail to Hummel Street Townhouses, 219 Hummel St., Harrisburg, Pa., 17104.

Contractors interested in donating skills, time or materials should contact Dana Klinepeter at 717-782-3168.

Let There Be Lights: Grab a glow stick and make your city brighter.

May 30, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

A few years back, an early-morning run took a bad turn for Harrisburg resident Stacia Zewe.

The streetlight was out where she ran, so she couldn’t see the raised sidewalk in the gloomy dawn. She tripped and fell on the walkway along Front Street.

“I was all banged up and bloody,” she said.

Indeed, in Harrisburg, many lights blink out for extended periods, and a number of poles have been down for years without being replaced.

That’s why, in part, she was inspired to start a “glow run,” a race typically held at dusk in which runners wear something that glows, such as a necklace, bracelet, glow stick or object spritzed with glow spray, so they can be seen easily in the fading daylight.

This glow run, however, will have a special Harrisburg twist. Instead of running for a charitable cause or just for fun, the 5K fittingly will raise money to help the cash-strapped city pay for a basic, yet neglected service—lighting.

Zewe, who sits on the board of Historic Harrisburg Association, suggested the idea to then-Executive Director John Campbell. He brought on Matthew Krupp, who has raised money for a similar purpose through his group, Lighten Up Harrisburg—and they ran with it.

“She said it’d be a good idea to raise money for this, and we agreed,” said Campbell, who is also the city treasurer.

Harrisburg has budgeted only $69,000 this year to replace lights, though it hopes to draw from an infrastructure fund to increase that meager budget, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Across the city, Harrisburg has nearly 6,000 lights to install, and replacement bulbs cost $75 apiece, plus labor.

Therefore, every penny counts. If the Glow Run can offset some of that expense, money can be diverted for lighting needs elsewhere. The Glow Run, in fact, is focusing its efforts just on Front Street, one of the city’s most visible stretches and one plagued recently by burned-out lights and downed poles.

“We wanted to make a visible impact,” Zewe said. “Instead of fixing one or two lights in every neighborhood, we wanted to be able to point to our work, say, ‘here’s what we did,’ and move forward from there.”

Funds will go towards replacing the lights with LED bulbs, which are expected to last a decade or more. Unfortunately, organizers don’t anticipate raising enough money to buy new light poles, which cost about $4,500 apiece. Citywide, 72 poles are down, 20 just along Front Street, said Campbell.

Zewe said that, so far, the response to the idea has been enthusiastic. Runners who know of the city’s struggles have embraced the cause, she said. Some veteran 5Kers also are happy that the run will follow a different route than most other races along the city waterfront—starting in Riverfront Park, not on City Island, she said.

In addition, many businesses have stepped up to support the race through sponsorships, as they see well-lit streets as vital to a healthy, safe community. In fact, one downtown business—Sawyer’s Cantina—is hosting the after-party.

“It’s a really easy thing for sponsors to get behind,” said Zewe. “Sometimes, if you’re raising money for a certain cause, you have to have experienced that cause. But this is very relatable for everyone.”

Campbell, for one, has been impressed with the reaction both to the run and the cause.

“This is what a vibrant city looks like,” he said. “This is how I see the future of Harrisburg, people out doing things, being involved, on days, weekends and nights.”

The Glow Run steps off from Riverfront Park on June 7 at 8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children under 14. Day-of registration is $28 for adults and $15 for children. Pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt and glow gear. The after-party will be at Sawyer’s Cantina, 210 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. For more information and to register, sponsor or donate, visit https://historicharrisburg.com.

Pop-Up Activist: Immigration, politics, art: They’re all pieces of the whole for Shamaine Daniels.

May 30, 2014 | by Ann Hess Myers

Walking among the couple dozen art venues in the typical 3rd in The Burg, you go into places you would expect to visit: galleries, restaurants, cafes.

And then there’s Shamaine Daniels’ garage.

A couple of months ago, the new Harrisburg councilwoman debuted her “Uptown PopUp Art Gallery,” an art space made possible by a few extension cords she ran from her kitchen and some lights she strung up.

“There is no heat or electricity, so the weather dictates the gallery’s schedule,” she said. “Thus the PopUp name, popping up when the weather cooperates.”

Screenshot 2014-05-29 16.27.11 In honor of Women’s History Month, Daniels opened her gallery in March showcasing two female artists: potter and jewelry maker Phyllis Doherty and knitter Teresia Kuria. Mimicking European open-air markets, Daniels’ gallery brings the public to Harrisburg’s Olde Uptown neighborhood, adding a new venue for 3rd in the Burg.

The PopUp Gallery is just one of Daniels’ many interests and ventures.

Undergraduate classes in political science, international relations and sociology shaped Daniels’ philosophy and values. She developed an interest in politics and, in the May 2013 primary election, won a Democratic nomination to fill one of four seats on Harrisburg’s City Council. Knocking on lots of doors, she received more votes than any of the other 10 candidates and secured her seat on City Council.

As a city councilwoman, she hopes to help fellow residents succeed with personal and professional endeavors. She also wants to wage a war on blight, a problem that is literally close to her home, as she lives near several condemned buildings in what is otherwise a reviving urban neighborhood.

“Harrisburg has many beautiful historic buildings,” she said. “We need to preserve our history and turn our neighborhoods into safe and healthy communities. And in tackling the city’s financial concerns, I want to develop incentives that will attract businesses that pay above minimum wage.”

Arriving in Harrisburg in 2006, Daniels served as a staff attorney for the Community Justice Project, where she represented low-income citizens in state and federal courts. During this time, her most publicized case was as the plaintiff’s counsel in Lozano, et al. v. City of Hazelton, an immigrant rights case that attracted national attention.

Today, Daniels’ practice serves low-income individuals, women, immigrants and individuals with disabilities.

“I want to provide affordable legal services,” said Daniels, a native of Venezuela. “Everyone should have access to quality legal counsel, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Many of her cases are against commercial entities, specifically employers who do not pay minimum wage or overtime, or who do not abide by the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Daniels also chairs the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), advocating for women from disadvantaged communities. She assists with fundraising efforts for the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, often opening her home to host special events.

In fact, she recently ventured to the National Mall to participate in Women’s Fast for Families, a two-day fast in support of fair immigration reform.

Whether she is assisting clients in her practice of immigration law or scheduling art exhibits, Daniels said she is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in Harrisburg.

As for the future of the PopUp Gallery, Daniels hopes to continue it as long as the weather stays warm—or until she finds a space with, well, heating and lights.

“Perhaps, one day, the gallery will become more than a pop-up, a business entity with electricity,” she said.

Daniels will continue opening her garage to visitors this month during her Uptown PopUp exhibit for the next 3rd in The Burg on June 20. Drop by to visit the gallery at 2018 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg.

Beer Run: A circle of great breweries awaits, a short drive from Harrisburg.

May 30, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

The mercury is rising. The air conditioner is straining just to keep you from melting. City living is great, but, come summer, the combination of pavement and brick can turn Harrisburg into a glorified pizza oven.

Thankfully, centuries of human ingenuity have developed a number of ways to beat the heat. My personal favorite is (surprise, surprise) the aptly named “cold one.” And all of us here in Harrisburg are lucky enough to be just a short drive away from some wonderful producers of said beverages. So, if you find yourself thirsty and need to make a quick escape, here are four breweries worth the trip.

The Establishment

The central Pennsylvania craft beer scene begins with Tröegs Brewing Company, now located on Hershey Park Drive in Hershey. While founded in Harrisburg, expansion forced the brothers Trogner to find new digs, and, while I was sad to see them go, the new facility is definitely an upgrade.

Self-guided tours are always available via a glass hallway that passes through the brewery and connects the tasting room with the gift shop. However, the real treat is a guided tasting tour. For $5, you get beer tastings, a souvenir glass, and an in-depth exploration of the process of professional beer-making, along with what makes this critically acclaimed craft brewery special. Just make sure to book in advance since each tour is limited to 10 people, and they tend to fill up quickly, especially during the summer travel season.

But, even if you decide to pop over on a whim (perhaps as a reward for taking your kids on one of the roller coasters next door), the tasting room alone is worth the visit. Channeling a cafeteria aesthetic, Tröegs’ “snack bar” is anything but, with a wide menu of locally sourced and delicious foods that definitely satisfy as a complete meal. The French fries cooked in hop oil are a beer lover’s treat. And, of course, all of Tröegs’ award-winning beers are on tap (as long as they’re in season) along with the “Scratch Series,” small-batch, experimental brews that are only available at the brewery. And, if you’re looking to jump on the latest craft beer bandwagon, make sure to try one of the new sour beers.

The Underdog

Liquid Hero Brewery, located just across the street from Santander Stadium in York, has only been around for a couple of years. Like so many new craft breweries, Liquid Hero started when three guys went from being homebrew hobbyists to professional brewers.

Their current brew works are noticeably smaller than Tröegs, but with a smaller operation comes greater access. When I arrived, I was immediately greeted by one of the co-owners, Christian Quinlivan, who proceeded to pour me the first in a long line of samples and took me on a personal tour. Obviously, when you introduce yourself as a writer who wants to do a story on a person’s business, you get treated pretty well. But I definitely got the sense that Christian was giving me the standard treatment. He introduced me to many of the regulars by name, in addition to his baby daughter and wife.

Christian and his partners hand-fabricated much of the equipment in the brew works, located in a former train depot, and they approach their business with a heavy dose of creativity. Instead of shelling out for a full bottling line, they use a portable canner that arrives as needed in order to package their beers for distribution. Until recently, their beers were fermented in a climate-controlled room, powered by a standard window air conditioning unit. And since they don’t have a kitchen on site, they have an agreement with a local restaurant, allowing visitors to order food for delivery (a pizza arrived during my stay).

But don’t let these creative solutions fool you; their beers are definitely professional grade. As much as it pains me as a writer, their Irregardless IPA (I don’t know if their use of this often uttered non-word is meant to be tongue-in-cheek or not) is phenomenal. And as good as it is out of a can, I noticed that the pour I had at the brewery was even better than the six-pack I took home with me. So, it is definitely worth a trip to the source, plus you can combine a visit with a minor league baseball game for the perfect low-cost getaway.

The Upstarts

The first of two newcomers that I visited was The Brewery at Hershey. Expanding on the success of the Vineyard at Hershey, the brewery is located, somewhat confusingly, in Middletown, among the picturesque rolling farmland of rural Dauphin County.

The tasting room includes a gorgeous back deck that provides a scenic view of the nearby lush countryside, including a Mediterranean-style vista of the vineyard itself. Of all the breweries I visited, this one left me the most relaxed. I’m a very social person, so it is rare that I prefer to sit alone and quietly sip amidst my own thoughts, but I spent the first part of my visit doing exactly that.

Eventually, I headed over to the brew works to see if I could poke my head in. I was greeted by L. Paul Vezzetti, who is actually the head winemaker. But, conveniently, winemaking and brewing are done in close proximity. Due to the convoluted laws governing the production of alcohol, there can be no commingling of the two divisions, but they are located on either side of the same building. And, being a small operation, Vezzetti knew his way around the brew works, as well. As I toured, I sipped their tasty flagship IPA, Hip Hops Hooray, while sampling small tastes of other special experiments currently still in process.

The Brewery at Hershey is perfect if you are traveling with a (gasp!) non-beer drinker. While I don’t normally recommend such traveling partners, they can order wine while you taste the beer. Just keep in mind that the brewery’s tasting room is only open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Snitz Creek Brewery in downtown Lebanon is the newest addition to the halo of breweries surrounding our fine capital city. Having opened in January of this year, Snitz Creek has already been embraced by the thirsty town that it calls home. The brewery gets its name from the owner’s love of fishing, with beers named after the outdoors, fishing poles serving as tap handles, and a combination hop flower/fishing lure logo adorning the pint glasses.

Like Liquid Hero, when I arrived, I was greeted enthusiastically, and it wasn’t long before the brewer, Josh Schucker, came over to introduce himself. I quickly ordered an Opening Day IPA and followed him into the brew works located in the back of the building. And, again, like my experience in York, Schucker offered me an informal, impromptu tour, ensuring me that, as long as someone is around and available, anyone can be guided through the small brewery.

I sampled a number of the beers. The brewery offers an impressive variety sure to satisfy a wide range of tastes. The American Blonde was admittedly unadventurous, but is a tasty option for those who are yet to develop my personal love of hops. A recently released Opera Fudge Stout has that dark, chocolaty balance that makes for a perfect dessert beer, featuring locally made chocolate from Wertz Candies. And the Apple-Weiss Wheat is an excellent option for those who like a little fruit in their beer. Plus the brewery has a full menu, making Snitz Creek an excellent dinner date option.

Currently, the beers are only available on-site, so bring a growler if you want to have any at home. But, while Schucker couldn’t give me any details, he indicated that Snitz Creek will be available in more area bars soon.

Brewpubs Worth the Trip

As more places offer their own quaffs, the craft beer universe has come to be divided between breweries and brewpubs. Granted, the distinction can get muddied (Tröegs: brewery or brewpub? Discuss amongst yourselves). But, in general, the beer is the prime attraction of a brewery, while, in a brewpub, the food and overall restaurant experience steal at least some of the spotlight.

So, with deep appreciation for both business models, here are some of my favorite brewpubs within an easy drive of Harrisburg.

Pizza Boy Brewing Company at Al’s of Hampden

Nothing goes together like pizza and beer. This increasingly adventurous brewer is making a name for himself with exciting new beers that he isn’t afraid to stack next to some of the beer world’s heavyweights on his exhaustive draught list.

Market Cross Pub

Market Cross in Carlisle is the closest thing you’ll find to a true English pub experience this side of the pond. It holds a special place in my heart as the site of my 21st birthday and where I first came to appreciate craft beer. The pub offers a variety of excellent, in-house, English-style beers.

Bube’s Brewery

This historic brewery, located in Mount Joy, isn’t afraid to capitalize on its long history. It offers Mystery Dinners within the spooky confines of the 19th-century establishment and has even been featured on SyFy’s “Ghosthunters.” But don’t let the spectral ambience keep you away from this gritty gem of tasty craft beer and simple, delicious food.

Selin’s Grove Brewing Co.

This rather unknown gem is serving up some really special beers that are definitely worth the trip up Route 15. Call ahead to confirm that particular beers are available as they are having trouble keeping up with demand. There’s a rumor—keep it quiet—that some non-beer-drinkers love Selin’s Grove for the locally sourced cuisine, which includes an ever-changing selection of weekly specials.

Where to Go

The Brewery at Hershey
598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown
www.vineyardathershey.com/the-brewery

Bube’s Brewery
102 N. Market St., Mount Joy
www.bubesbrewery.com

Liquid Hero Brewery
50 E. North St., York
www.liquidhero.com

Market Cross Pub
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
www.marketcrosspub.com

Pizza Boy Brewing Co./Al’s of Hampden
2240 Millennium Way, Enola
www.alsofhampden.com

Selin’s Grove Brewing Co.
121 N. Market St., Selinsgrove
www.selinsgrovebrewing.com

Snitz Creek Brewery
7 N. 9th St., Lebanon
www.snitzcreekbrewery.com

Tröegs Brewing Company
200 E. Hershey Park Dr., Hershey
www.troegs.com

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