Hop Haven: It’s a craft beer bonanza at Brewhouse Grille.

March 31, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

As a craft beer drinker (read: beer snob), the first thing I do when I belly up to a bar is check out the tap handles. I can ignore an absence of ambiance, a lackluster menu or poor song selection coming from the sound system. I cannot ignore a poor beer selection.

I’ve been to the Camp Hill’s Brewhouse Grille before, so I wasn’t worried about its draft menu, and I have always enjoyed the food and friendly atmosphere. But old habits die hard, so when I arrive to meet with one of the co-owners of the restaurant, Larry Dolan, my eyes immediately track to the tap system.

Just as I suspected, a wide variety of critically acclaimed craft brews are on display, including one of my favorites, Resin, an imperial India pale ale by Brooklyn’s Sixpoint Brewery. As I complete my inspection, Dolan emerges from the dining room and invites me to join him at a table in the back where we can have a quieter conversation.

The Brewhouse Cometh

Brewhouse Grille is not a new establishment, so we discuss origins first.

“Co-founder Norm Fromm and I opened the Brewhouse in 2005,” says Dolan. “We were craft beer enthusiasts, and there weren’t many bars serving these types of beers, so we wanted a place that had good food and good craft beer.”

The Brewhouse opened with a 12-tap system. It’s now expanded to 38 taps between two bars, serving 30 separate beers on draft. The owners feature a revolving draft list with an emphasis on seasonals and special, hard-to-find beers, although they make sure to have some “macros” on hand to keep all the customers happy.

“We keep in touch with our wholesalers,” adds Dolan. “We make sure to get in any special releases being offered.”

The Brewhouse features offerings from a number of top-notch craft breweries, such as the previously mentioned Sixpoint, Bell’s Brewery, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Great Lakes Brewing Company.

“We make an effort to highlight local breweries as well,” notes Dolan. “Obviously, we carry Tröegs. But we also have a variety of other local brewers, like Millbock [Linglestown], Springhouse [Lancaster] and Liquid Hero [York].”

But Brewhouse is about more than beer. The owners take their food seriously, too.

“We have our own smoker,” says Dolan. “Our menu features smoked chicken, ribs and pulled pork. And our house dressing includes smoked tomatoes.”

Furthermore, the Brewhouse is not light on atmosphere. Come warmer weather, customers flock to the restaurant, as the second bar can be opened up to let in the air. It also hosts special events, such as an annual breast cancer awareness party, “Brews for Boobies,” held every May. March Madness and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration are also big draws, and the Brewhouse regularly features live music; it was a participating venue in this year’s Millennium Music Conference.

Brewhouse Family

At this point, Larry calls over one of his bartenders, Amy Bentley, who has been working at the Brewhouse for nine years.

“For someone to work here for that long shows you how much this place is like a family,” says Bentley. “It’s been nice to get to know the regulars, to hear their stories and find out what’s going on with them.”

She is clearly on to something. Even though I arrived during the off-hours in the mid-afternoon, friendly patrons chat up the bartenders, who all respond to the customers by name. As we talk, she is quite comfortable sitting with her boss, yet another indication that the Brewhouse is more family than place of employment.

Having gotten a sense of what makes the Brewhouse unique, I take the opportunity to solicit specific food and beer recommendations.

“The Tuscan tuna salad is my favorite,” says Bentley. “The red onions, capers and olives add a wonderful flavor.”

As for beer, her favorite current offering is Great Lakes’ Edmund Fitzgerald, a world-class American porter.

Dolan chimes in, “I prefer the IPAs.”

As a fellow hop-head, I have to go with his recommendation. It’s then that I remember the Sixpoint Resin tap handle I saw on my way in.

Brewhouse Grille is located at 2050 State Rd., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.brewhousegrille.com or call 717-737-0030.

Bit of Change: Harrisburg’s new parking regimen has hit an unexpected snag, but an innovative solution may be at hand.

March 31, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda and Paul Barker

Terry Sweeney stopped coming to downtown Harrisburg last month, even though several of the restaurants on 2^nd Street are among his favorites.

He felt he had no choice. The increased cost of parking was putting a huge dent in his monthly budget.

“I simply can’t afford the parking or the tickets,” said the Mechanicsburg resident. “I’m not sure anyone can.”

Sweeney was more accurate in his assessment than he may have realized.

Parking operator Standard Parking last month said its internal studies revealed that there is not enough dollar-denominated currency in circulation in the greater Harrisburg area to pay for the new parking rates.

So, according to spokesman Rob Porter, it’s begun to retrofit its new meters to accept bitcoins, the digital currency that some regard as a legitimate form of money.

“We took a closer look at our budget for 2014 and realized that, in fact, the citizens of Harrisburg do not actually have sufficient American currency—or really sovereign currency of any kind—to meet our revenue projections,” Porter said. “And one way to close that gap is for residents to tap into the shadowy, unregulated underworld of a Japanese software eccentric’s technological fantasy.”

Software developer Satoshi Nakamoto created bitcoin just five years ago as an alternative to traditional, country-sanctioned forms of money. Bitcoins are not controlled by nations or central banks, but use computers on a network to confirm bitcoin transactions and mint new currency.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he “warmly welcomes” the prospect of bitcoin-compatible parking meters.

“It’s just so exciting,” he said. “It’s a terrific example of exactly the kind of public/private/shadow economy partnership that I’ve been touting all along. Once again, Harrisburg is on the cutting edge of creative financing.”

Papenfuse then went on to list all the “really neat things” the city would be able to buy when Harrisburg receives its share of bitcoin revenue: sushi from a restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif.; a college degree from the University of Cyprus; black market cigarettes; the ability to wager in online casinos.

Other city officials were taking a more cautious approach to the development.

“The founding fathers and Ronald Reagan didn’t need any bitcoin,” said Councilwoman Sandra Reid. “I say this to un-American bitcoin: Four score and seven years ago!”

Reid added that, following several neighborhood hearings, she would urge the city to reconsider its embrace of the virtual currency. When reminded that the city no longer owns or controls the parking system, she responded, “When did this happen? Why wasn’t I consulted?”

Council President Wanda Williams said she was still studying the issue, but would read an hour-long, prepared statement defending her position once she makes up her mind.

Indeed, bitcoin has become increasingly controversial since it began to be embraced last year, mostly by day traders, tech geeks and people who believe that modern civilization is a fiction whose time of reckoning is at hand.

One problem is the potential that the currency will collapse altogether, a possibility heightened by events like February’s theft of $477 million in bitcoins from Mt. Gox, a virtual currency giant, by online hackers.

If that happens, said spokesman Porter, Standard Parking may have to fall back on its “Plan B”: accepting the city’s physical assets as a form of substitute payment.

“We’ll take anything, really,” Porter said. “Civil war museums, minor league ballparks, state Capitol buildings, parking systems. Oh right, we already got that last one.”

He said, in a pinch, he’d even accept private houses.

“We’d generously lease them back to the old owners,” he said, “as long as their tribute—I mean rent—is paid in bitcoins.”

“Anything except sewer pipes,” he added. “You can keep those.”

The potential downside, however, does not concern former city receiver William Lynch, who said he approves of what he called bitcoin’s “essential characteristic”: the fact that no one really understands what it is or how it works.

“That same characteristic was the key to the whole receivership and the recovery plan,” said Lynch, who then winked, boarded a helicopter and flew away up the Susquehanna.

Upon further reporting, TheBurg has learned that nothing in this story actually happened, was said by the individuals quoted or paraphrased or is otherwise accurate. Happy April Fools, Harrisburg! (with inspirational credit to #ScotchinTheBurg)

Musical Notes: April’s Musical Showers–Lush sounds blossom this month.

March 31, 2014 | by Dan Webster

April storms in with a trio branded “Brooklyn Country,” and Moviate and Matt Hickey are up to all sorts of good, promoting two hyper-experimental bands. Get passionate, get entranced, and don’t miss a drop of this music.

The Lone Bellow/York Capitol Strand/April 3/8 p.m./$24

The Lone Bellow is a trio triumph, featuring the harmonies of singer/writer Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist and mandolin player Kanene Pipkin. Their self-titled debut album is chock full of songs ablaze with passion and emotion, but very dissimilar to the country rock found in pop radio. “Teach Me to Know” is a harmonic masterpiece utilizing all three voices perfectly—although lyrically repetitive. The songs “Green Heart and a Heart of Gold” and “You Never Need Nobody” are stock favorites that will warm you to this Brooklyn band that is two parts The Lumineers (acoustic rock template), one part non-annoying Gavin Degraw (does that exist?), and a dash of Teitur (lyrically speaking).

Thollem McDonas & Brian Chase/The MakeSpace/April 4/8 p.m./$8 Cover

This is going to be a road trip into Avatar world—spacious, luscious and otherworldly. Thollem McDonas is an avant garde pianist pairing up with the drummer of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Brian Chase. Their album, “Dub Narcotic Session,” explores many a sonic landscape, sometimes shockingly together like freestyle jazz piano on top of punk-style drum playing. I’d say this kind of thing comes around Harrisburg once in a blue moon.

Koen Holtkamp/Little Amps Uptown/April 6/7 p.m./$5 Suggested Donation

Thanks Moviate for this one. Holtkamp, like the above duo, is difficult to define. He layers all manners of sounds—keyboards, wood blocks, rattles, etc.—to create hypnotic, contemplative musical poetry. “Haus Und Spirale Im Regen” is a 15-minute stretch of his more soothing material, while a song like “Walker” is layered with city sounds and ethereal voices, creating a scary dissonance. Grab a coffee and let your mind wander at this one.

Mentionables: The Martini Brothers, HMAC, April 19, starts at 8 p.m.; Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, The Abbey Bar, April 27, starts at 4 p.m.; Prairie Empire & Anthonie Tonnon, The MakeSpace, April 30, starts at 8 p.m.

A Venice Visit: This chicken dish transports you to the land of canals and gondolas.

March 31, 2014 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

When I was growing up, one of my father’s favorite projects every year was preparing for the Harrisburg Art Association’s Bal Masque, an event that continues to this day (and was just held last month).

One year, my father convinced the planning committee to have a Venice theme for the ball. He loved Venice. For weeks, I accompanied him to the old Penn Harris Hotel, where he painted scenery that would rival that of a Broadway musical. He and my mother even commissioned costumes to be made for the ball. They dressed as the Merchant of Venice and Portia. (Haven’t times changed?)

My father beautifully captured the misty hues of Venice in his paintings. One of his favorites, he titled “Going to the Doges,” a watercolor depicting the great palace on Venice’s Grand Canal, home to the doges, the dukes of Venice. So, this lovely Italian city rising from the water has always intrigued me.

Venetian food differs from other regions in northern Italy. Gnocchi and polenta are preferred over pasta. Risotto is a Venetian mainstay, and a rice dish with fresh peas called risi e bisi is cherished in the springtime. There is less emphasis on meat. Fresh fish and fowl dominate the cuisine, prepared simply with ingredients like green olive oil, garlic and parsley.

This month’s recipe is inspired by the light fare of Venice. It is another one of those dog-eared recipes I have saved from a very old cooking magazine. This variation calls for chicken, but, in Venice, it would just as likely be prepared with whole fish.

Baked Chicken Breasts with Scallions and Lime

Pound 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts to an even thickness. Dredge them in flour (Wondra is great and less heavy), and place them on a plate.
In a large, preferably non-stick skillet, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. When the butter is bubbling, sauté the chicken breasts until golden, about 4 minutes on a side. But use your judgment, as thicker breasts may take a little longer. When cooked, remove to a clean plate.
Reduce the heat to low and add 2/3 cup minced scallions (green and white parts) and 1 minced, fresh garlic clove. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Increase the heat to high and add ½ cup dry white wine. Scrape up any browned bits in the skillet and cook until the wine has reduced to half, 2-3 minutes.
Place half the cooked scallion mixture in a heavy, rectangular baking dish that you have buttered (no substitute for real butter here).
Place the browned chicken breasts over the scallion mixture, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a tablespoon of fresh lime juice. Cover with the remaining scallion sauce.
Sprinkle the chicken with 2 teaspoons of grated lime zest, a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley, and a tablespoon of dry, fine bread crumbs. Dot with a tablespoon of butter cut into small pieces.
Bake in a pre-heated, 400-degree oven for 15 minutes. Check for doneness. The chicken should still be juicy.
Place the chicken on a platter, perhaps garnished with a little fresh watercress.

This is a wonderful, fresh dish that is great for company. I have served it many times to rave reviews. You could try making it with whole fish as they do in “The Veneto,” if that is something you do (whole fish, that is). Try serving it with white rice or rice with peas, and end your meal with another Venetian favorite, tiramisu. A chilled soave would pair well—it is the white wine of choice in Venice during the warmer months of spring and summer.

I dream of going to Venice someday. I imagine the excitement of Carnevale (the pre-Ash Wednesday celebration), the winding canals, mysterious passageways, St. Mark’s Square and what is described as the ever-changing translucent light.

And, of course, I’d make sure, as my father and mother did, to toast this great city with a bellini at Harry’s Bar.

Context is King: News has the most value when history, perspective are kept in mind.

March 31, 2014 | by J. Alex Hartzler

“It’s not the words, it’s the context of the words.” – Chris Rock

Context. Responsible reporting and analysis provide the reader with the overall circumstances that form the setting for an event or situation, or, in other words, the “context” of the topic at hand. Without context, individual facts are rendered meaningless at best, misleading or deceptive at worst—making true understanding difficult.

The timeframe one uses for analysis is critical to context. Several years ago, I had the honor of attending a luncheon with the Dalai Lama. What I remember most from the Dalai Lama’s engaging lecture was his humility and surprising sense of humor. Throughout his remarks, he emphasized the context of his work in terms of centuries, even millennia. He challenged the audience to think not in terms of days, weeks or even years, but in terms of what our actions mean for the next 100 or even 500 years.

For a humbling mind experiment, take 10 minutes to think about your life in the context of 100 or 500 years, looking back on history and into the future. It is not quite “Cosmos” time, but it is enough to have fun and to contemplate the point.

The Dalai Lama’s comments came to mind again this past month with two news items in the local media. In Harrisburg, increased parking rates have led to vigorous discussion, while the debate about whether or not Harrisburg is “gentrifying” received additional attention. Both discussions, however, suffered from a lack of context.

On the parking front, various news outlets and commentators decried the increased parking rates currently taking effect in downtown Harrisburg. These changes will raise rates for street parking to as high as $3 per hour on certain streets from the current $1.50 and were widely panned.

However, as Paul Barker astutely pointed out in his Burg blog, “The High Cost of (Cheaper) Parking,” higher parking rates can have significant beneficial effects on the overall community. Far from being a detriment to business, higher parking rates can help ensure the availability of short-term street/surface parking for business patrons while encouraging longer term commuters to use lower rates in underused garages. If commuters choose either to carpool or use alternatives, such as public transportation, biking or even old-fashioned walking to get to their destination, numerous potential societal benefits may stem from decreased car traffic. If we want a livable, vibrant city in future decades, paying a bit more to park now might be a good idea after all.

The local gentrification debate suffered from an even greater lack of context. A recent article wondered if Harrisburg is “gentrifying” and asked people their opinion. As a long-term resident (since 1995) and real estate developer (since about 1998), I have a vested interest in this debate. Whatever one thinks of gentrification on a national level, the local debate requires context in order to be understood.

The first and most important missing contextual point is population. In the 1950s, Harrisburg’s population peaked at around 100,000 residents and fell to a low of slightly less than 50,000 at the turn of the century, while the surrounding suburban community grew its population and economy. Since 2000, Harrisburg has had a net increase of about 700 people, the first increase in half a century.

Now, let’s generously assume that the current trend continues, and Harrisburg is able to add 100 new residents a year indefinitely into the future. At that rate, it would take about 500 years just to bring the population back to where it was 50 years ago. At least in this century, it is clear that there is plenty of room for everyone who wants to call Harrisburg home, regardless of your personal situation.

Our company, WCI Partners, has renovated about 100 homes in Olde Uptown Harrisburg since 2005, including 18 new homes that were built on vacant city lots (two of the lots required demolition of an existing structure). Most renovated homes were purchased from out-of-town owners. Other leading companies, such as Brickbox, GreenWorks and Vartan, have converted old offices buildings to residential living, restored long-vacant buildings or, in rare instances, built new on vacant land. No one was displaced or forced to leave.

As a result of these activities, there are increased city revenues, new businesses and jobs, decreased crime, improved streetlights and sidewalks and a host of other benefits to new and prior residents in the city. That said: the area where WCI works only occupies about nine square blocks. Out of about 12 square miles of land in the city (even assuming one-half is not residential use), this means that we have impacted less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the land area and less than one-half of 1 percent of all residential dwellings. In other words, the recent debate often missed the point of context and scale.

Even when added with that of other developers and individual homeowners, it is simply not at the scale required to dramatically impact the city population as a whole or, conversely, deprive anyone of a place to live. Thus any argument—ironically often from nonresident, elitist/privileged voices—about a “dark side” to development or “invasion” of the neighborhood is mere silliness, outdone only by its meaninglessness to any rational debate.

Harrisburg continues to make small, but positive strides toward returning to its past vibrancy, and we can look forward to one day again being a leading capital city. Increased parking rates and small sprouts of development are but two of the many signs of good things to come for all residents and would-be residents. With any luck, Harrisburg’s resurgence will come well within the Dalai Lama’s time horizon and be embraced with contextual understanding.

J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

Education of Note: The Perfect 5th has grown into a haven for musical talent.

March 31, 2014 | by Jess Hayden

Logan Bedard

Logan Bedard knew from an early age that he wanted to be a drummer.

“He started playing at 5 and really got serious when he was about 6 years old,” said his father Todd. “By the time he was 8, he was telling me that he really wanted to play in a rock band.”

Bedard knew rocker Shea Quinn, who, at the time, was running the open mic night at Gullifty’s Underground in Camp Hill. He brought his son over and asked if Logan could sit in on a song with the house band.

“It was ‘Play that Funky Music,’ and Shea really loved it,” recalled Todd. After that, father and son returned each week and, when the band’s drummer couldn’t make it, Logan would fill in.

“Soon, he began playing gigs with Shea,” said Todd. “So far, they have played about 120 shows together.”

When The Perfect 5^th Musical Arts Center was looking for a drummer for its Student All Star Band (the most advanced group in the school’s rock band program), Quinn recommended Logan. Now 11 years old, Logan participates in two rock bands and takes an occasional drum lesson.

“To start with, The Perfect 5th is a really great place,” Logan said when asked about his experience at the music education mecca in Hampden Township. “You can go there and take lessons on pretty much any instrument, and they have a great staff.”

He says being immersed in rock music at The Perfect 5^th has been a great way to learn. “You get the band experience, but you also learn things along the way, like how to write songs and read music,” he said. “I really love playing with other musicians about my age who are at my level.”

The Perfect 5th opened its doors in 2011 with just a handful of teachers and students, but since has grown to more than 300 active students and 20-plus teachers. It is housed in a beautiful, recently renovated space that has seven sound-insulated teaching rooms and two large classrooms. The “performance garage” at the opposite corner of the parking lot includes a stage with professional sound and lights.

The center is managed by Executive Director Eric Wirsing, who studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Operations Manager Terry Selders, who is the former manager of the rock band The Badlees. Three or four interns are also hired annually.

The Perfect 5^th offers a wide range of instruction covering multiple genres, such as classical, rock, jazz and folk. Private music lessons are available for youth and adults on many instruments, including guitar, piano, voice, bass, violin, ukulele and banjo, as well as brass and woodwinds.

What’s particularly unusual about the center is the variety of group classes and workshops that are offered. These programs include Celtic band class, kinder flute, quick start piano and the burgeoning rock band program that Logan Bedard is involved in, allowing students to further their skills, play in ensembles or get a taste of an instrument.

The center often holds performance opportunities for its students and recently staged a “rockcital” at Harrisburg’s Fed Live. More than 250 friends and family members squeezed into the venue to watch 20 or so students perform music by artists as diverse as Gladys Knight, Halestorm and Nickelback. Rather than rely on previously laid down tracks, The Perfect 5^th Student All Star Band backed singers, guitarists and other musicians who had prepared solos. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to appear on a professional stage in front of an appreciative audience.

“You know, most of these kids aren’t going to do this as a living,” said Todd Bedard. “But it’s a real gas to see them up there where all these national club acts have performed.”

This month will be a busy one for The Perfect 5^th. The arts center has piano, vocal and guitar classes starting in April, and the month ends with its annual Spring Recital, which will be held at the Unity Church in Enola on April 27.

In addition, summer camp enrollment is in full swing with offerings such as rock band, songwriting, music video, young rockers, jam/improv camp and much more. Some of the campers will be involved in the Fall Rock Recital (Aug. 2 at Fed Live) with performances and a music video debut.

The Perfect Fifth Musical Arts Center is located at 6240 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg. For more information, classes, workshops and summer camps, visit https://theperfect5th.comor call 717-691-9100.

The LUX Life: Across from the Capitol, a luxury residence takes shape.

March 31, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital views from inside Lux apartments.

When I arrived in Harrisburg, I remember being surprised at all the underutilized, forlorn historic buildings, which often were in need of total renovation.

Five years have passed, and, just in this short period of time, many have found new uses as fully rehabbed apartments and offices.

One of the most prominent is about to spring back to life. Soon, the LUX condominium building will open directly across the street from the state Capitol, with many units offering stunning views of perhaps the country’s most beautiful statehouse.

“Our goal is for people to walk into this unit, see the view and just say, ‘Wow,’” said Pete Weigher, president of TeamPete Realty Services, as we looked out the sixth-floor window onto the Capitol dome directly in front of us.

The two buildings long have shared a history. They were completed just three years apart and now have faced one another for more than a century.

The difference: While the Capitol has been well maintained and cared for, the same cannot be said for the eight-story building across N. 3^rd Street, which began life as a Masonic Temple before becoming the Barto office building. Over the years, it fell into disrepair and, after a serious flood, was almost completely abandoned.

In 2012, the last owner, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, sold it for $850,000 to Brickbox Enterprises, which, in recent years, has restored several other notable Harrisburg buildings, including Riverview Manor and the Kunkel building. The company is now ready to show off its work: 42 beautifully appointed one-bedroom condominiums within a structure that has been almost totally rebuilt.

“It’s all-new everything,” said Derek Dilks, vice president of property development for Brickbox. “There’s all-new plumbing, electricity, insulation, etc. You’re basically buying a new home inside an old building.”

This mix of historic and modern seems to be a strong selling point since, as of this writing, the company already had reservations for about half its units, which range from 525 to 900 square feet and cost $89,900 to $224,900. Each unit features high-end finishes such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, real-wood cabinets, solid wood doors, ceramic baths and high-speed Internet capability.

The condo fee will average $162 a month to pay for services such as water, sewer and trash. It also will cover access to common areas, including a fitness center, individual storage spaces, a community room and a rooftop deck with lofty views of the city and the river.

So far, interest has come from many quarters, not just those who work across the street, said Weigher. Younger people who like city life, retirees who want to downsize and downtown office workers are among those who have reserved units, he said.

Anyone who would like to see a unit need not wait long. Most construction, which was slowed over the winter due to delays in receiving the building’s custom-made windows, is expected to wrap up soon. An open house is slated for later this spring, and LUX also will be a stop on the annual Harrisburg Young Professionals Home Tour on May 10.

Brickbox President Dan Deitchman said he’s always been confident that the units would sell fast, as long as the prices made sense within the Harrisburg real estate market.

“How often can you own a unit in an historic building across from the Capitol, totally renovated, for a price that’s like renting?” he said. “It’s a no-brainer.”

LUX is located at 231 State St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.teampete.com or call 717-697-7383.

Rolling Back Time: The Steel Wheels tell a story of now plus then.

March 31, 2014 | by Jess Hayden

To learn more about the band, visit www.thesteelwheels.com

The Steel Wheels hit the stage with songs grounded in the old-time music of the rural south, but with lyrics that tell a decidedly modern story.

“We bridge the mountain music with singer/songwriter sounds and original songs that are important to us,” says Trent Wagler, the group’s leader. “We write songs that may sound like they come from the old American songbook, but are interlaced with current themes or experiences.”

The Steel Wheels, which features Wagler on guitar, Eric Brubaker on fiddle, Brian Dickel on bass and Jay Lapp on mandolin, takes its place among a growing group of young string bands (think Old Crow Medicine Show and The Infamous Stringdusters) that go back to the well of traditional music for inspiration.

Stylistically, the band’s repertoire runs the gamut, drawing from diverse genres such as bluegrass, Cajun, blues and gospel. What really pulls the music together is Wagler’s superb songwriting. Audiences find themselves captivated by powerful a capella gospel songs like “Rain in the Valley,” quiet, dreamy love songs like “Corrine,” and uplifting selections such as “Go Up That Mountain.”

Threading the groups’ music is Wagler’s raw, sparse vocal style, which is reminiscent of the singing of old Appalachian Mountain balladeers. What really gives the band its signature sound, though, is the magnificent four part harmonies, which can be heard on such songs as “Lay Down, Lay Low” and “Breaking Like the Sun.”

“In our band, we share, kind of by accident, a Mennonite heritage,” says Wagler. “We all grew up Mennonite in different parts of the country, and we found that that common heritage has a lot to do with our harmony singing.”

Beyond informing the group’s vocal artistry, growing up in religious households has influenced the band in other ways, says Wagler.

“Some of the themes and language that we use in our lyrics have biblical imagery, particularly in our gospel and a capella music,” he says. “But we try to open the lyrics in such a way that the most religious of Christians will feel at home, but people outside of that tradition can also feel that it is a song that they can get behind.”

Their Mennonite roots even influenced the choice of a band name.

“We were looking for a name that would have a couple of meanings for where we were coming from,” said Wagler. “It reminded us of Amish and old-order buggies that you’ll see using steel wheels, but it also brought up images of the train era to which we owe so many early Americana songs.”

The band is also aware of the “Steel Wheels” album that the Rolling Stones put out and the historic tour that they launched to promote it.

“We don’t want Rolling Stones fans to think that we’re some kind of a cover band,” said Wagler. “But we liked the connection. Bands like the Rolling Stones created their own style by taking the country blues and making it different. We’re doing the same kind of thing.”

The group has recorded four CDs during the last four years, including the latest, “We’ve Got a Fire, Winter is Coming,” released on April 1. The band tours frequently throughout the United States and is a favorite at many festivals, including Merle Fest in North Carolina, where it’s playing for a second year in a row.

“When we had the opportunity to bring them back to the festival this year, we knew we had to do it,” said festival organizer Steve Johnson. “They have a very unique and energetic sound, and we know our audience will enjoy what they have to offer.”

The Steel Wheels perform in a concert sponsored by the Susquehanna Folk Music Society and Greenbelt Events at the Abbey Bar, Appalachian Brewing Co., 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. Tickets and information are available at www.sfmsfolk.org. To learn more about the band, visit www.thesteelwheels.com.

Unknown Money Unknowns: What you don’t know can hurt your wallet.

March 31, 2014 | by Alison Bach

This morning, I woke up with a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. Surely, I must have come down with a severe case of tonsillitis, mononucleosis or laryngitis.

Panic set in for a few minutes until I had my morning cup of tea. I felt much better, and I felt a little ridiculous for my hypochondriac reaction. Although, for all I know, it could have been a serious medical issue. As someone with no medical training, but who cares very much about her health, I tend to overreact to even the most minor of symptoms.

Why do I overdramatize these potential signs of illness? Because of the unknown unknowns. I don’t know what is wrong with my health, there’s a two-month waiting list to see my physician, and I don’t have the medical training to know how to determine if the symptoms are serious.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld once said:

“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

It is the unknown unknowns that strike fear into our hearts. As long as you know what you don’t know, you can seek the information you are lacking; you know what questions to ask. Do you know everything there is to know about filing your federal income tax return? If you’re like most taxpayers, probably not. But, if you can achieve a basic level of understanding regarding your income tax return, you’ll develop the ability to reduce the amount of unknown unknowns, and you will be better equipped to communicate with your accountant and financial advisor.

Whether you’ve already filed your tax return or have filed an extension, these basic concepts will help you wrap your head around your tax situation and reduce the chances of a horrifyingly expensive surprise come April 15.

The Basics

Let’s start with adjusted gross income, or “AGI.” In essence, AGI is your income from all sources less any applicable adjustments to income. These adjustments include items such as IRA contributions and student loan interest, among others. Adjustments to income are referred to as “above the line” deductions. AGI is a key component in determining your total tax liability. In addition, AGI is the number used by banks, mortgage brokers and many financial aid programs to determine your eligibility for the products and services they offer.

Taxable income is the amount of income that is subject to income tax. To determine your taxable income, subtract from AGI any deductions and exemptions that apply. These deductions that are taken after you’ve determined your AGI are called “below the line” deductions.

All Income Is Not Equal

To add a level of complexity to what we’ve just discussed, some types of income (such as insurance proceeds, child support and workers’ compensation to name a few) are generally not subject to income tax.

Social Security benefits are a different animal completely. Is it taxable? The answer is: It depends. If your income is low enough, none of your Social Security income will be taxable. However, if your income is high enough, you may be paying tax on 85 percent of your benefit.

Winnings, whether from gambling or winning an all-expense-paid vacation from a radio contest, are taxable. You may think that the IRS will never know that you won that vacation, but most companies that award those prizes will send you a 1099 for the value of the prize. The company will also report the prize to the IRS. If you have gambling losses, you can offset your taxable winnings for that year with those losses, as long as you have proof of the loss.

If you receive a state income tax refund and you itemize your deductions, that refund may be taxable. Talk to your accountant or financial advisor about the types of income you receive if you have questions regarding how your income is taxed.

Minimizing Income Tax

How can you reduce your income tax liability? You can reduce your income, increase your deductions and/or take advantage of tax credits.

Reducing income: I do not mean to imply that you should take a lower paying job or work fewer hours (although that would certainly reduce the amount of tax you’re paying). Reducing income is a very common strategy among the self-employed. If you are self-employed, you can reduce income in a given year by timing your business expenses. Only the self-employment income in excess of expenses is subject to tax. Tread carefully, though, as reporting less income means that you may not qualify for the mortgage on your dream home. Remember that lenders use the figures you report on your tax returns to determine your loan eligibility.

Increasing deductions: A deduction allows you to reduce the amount of taxable income by the amount of the deduction. Deductions become more valuable to you as your income rises. If you are in the 10 percent tax bracket, a $1,000 deduction will knock $100 off your tax bill. If you are in the 25 percent tax bracket, a $1,000 tax deduction reduces your tax bill by $250.

Taking advantage of tax credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe. If you have a tax credit of $1,000, your tax bill is reduced by $1,000. Accordingly, a tax credit has the same dollar value regardless of which tax bracket applies to you. Most credits are non-refundable, which means that, if your tax credits total more than your total tax liability, the IRS won’t refund you the difference. There are a few refundable credits, such as the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. Ask your accountant about any tax credits for which you may qualify.

Although we can never fully eliminate our “unknown unknowns,” we can certainly chip away at the learning curve and convert those unknowns to knowns. With a basic understanding of how your income is taxed, and with a little consideration and guidance throughout the year, tax season can become far less intimidating.

Alison Bach is a certified financial planner for Conte Wealth Advisors in Camp Hill, www.contewealthadvisors.com.

Registered Representative Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Conte Wealth Advisors are not affiliated.

Tough Fix: Harrisburg wants to re-invigorate its fight against entrenched blight, but it faces a complex problem.

March 31, 2014 | by Tara Leo Auchey

When my husband and I moved to Harrisburg in 2006, my father’s friend told us he admired our adventurous spirit.

“Where you’re moving, it’s like a frontier. You’re on the line. You know, what I mean? Wow, I admire you,” he said sincerely as he looked me square in the eye.

But I didn’t know what he meant.

Call me naive, but I didn’t know that soon our capital city investment and rehabilitation of a condemned house would be a battle of architecture, quality of life and principle.

When we first met the house—as we like to say—it was debased and had a bad reputation.

It was a house where illicit things happened as it rotted away neglected and unmanaged.

When we met it, it had been divided into five apartments, one even in the damp, 100-year-old basement.

The woodwork was gouged and chipped. The dining room floor had a large hole where rare hemlock floorboards were stripped. There were deadbolts on all of its bedroom doors, and plaster crumbled from the high ceilings.

Much of what was left behind was old and had to be repaired or replaced for safety and efficiency.

For its last lonely years, it had sat empty as other houses around it slowly began to wither away, too.

Drive around Harrisburg, through any of its neighborhoods in any district of the city from Midtown to South Allison Hill to Uptown to Southside, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Even though my house and neighborhood was once that bad, it improved with transformation and new investment. However, that’s not true of other places in the city.

There are once-handsome and grand buildings, let go, passed along, taken apart and uncared for. They’ve been like that for decades.

Too many sit and rot then become unsavory, attracting vagrants and drug deals. There are those that become unsafe havens for the homeless or playgrounds for curious children.

Some are owned by good-willed and well-intended entrepreneurs who feel they’re waiting for “the right time.”

Some others are owned by the aged, deceased or unknown, who—for varying obvious reasons—don’t take care of these residences, businesses and factories.

There are more than 600 properties owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and the city. Too many of those are uninhabitable and trashed.

Then there are those owned by slumlords, inside which some people still live.

Some are bought condemned en masse by investors whose plan is to turn them over on the cheap. When that can’t or doesn’t happen, they sell them to the next hopeful buyer, en masse just as they bought them.

Drive around Harrisburg, and you’ll see the worst of the worst all over the place, no matter what the reason.

Yes, there are success stories where longtime patches of blight have been turned around, such as the Glass Factory, Hamilton Health Center and Habitat for Humanity’s homes on Jefferson Street.

And there are several other projects said to be on the horizon. Yet, until the time comes, buildings wait either to be torn down or redeemed.

Like so many urban cores across the state of Pennsylvania, this is the plight of cities.

Harrisburg has a grave problem, and it’s based in legalities, funds, political will, socioeconomics and culture. While it may not be alone in its problem, this capital city is an awful example of how bad the problem is.

We’ll never get rid of blight completely. That’s just a fact of the matter, but we can manage it better.

The Papenfuse administration has promised to make the fight against blight a priority, and there are developers who have plans to help the cause in some areas.

Yet, as we move from blight to renaissance, there is something to keep in mind even as we applaud the construction of new urban residences—there are people who have long lived next to the rotting buildings. Day in and day out, they’ve dealt with the dangerous, degenerate and dismal conditions. In the most pathetic cases, people have lived not just next to it, but within it.

It’s not enough to applaud the pockets of success because the dank still persists for too many of us who live in Harrisburg. Just because it’s not here anymore doesn’t mean it’s not there, even if we can’t see it.

A simple drive around our small city will prove that it’s still there.

So the question then becomes, what should we do about it? Not just for the newbies like me who moved in with a dream, but for those who have been here for a very long time, wondering when the nightmare will end.

Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of todays the day Harrisburg.

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