Road to Freedom: Harrisburg served as an important stop along the Underground Railroad.

January 31, 2014 | by Jason Wilson

Tanner’s Alley, from South Street looking towards Walnut Street, 1904. Credit: Historic Harrisburg Association.

Harrisburg’s location as the closest northern capital to the Mason-Dixon line—and the numerous roads, canals, ferries and railroads that converged here—led to its importance as a hub for the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War.

As early as 1836, Harrisburg formed an antislavery society to demand the immediate emancipation of all slaves held in captivity. The next year, a statewide antislavery convention was held in the city.

By 1850, the year that the notorious Fugitive Slave Act was passed, the free black population of Harrisburg was around 900. A decade later, it would nearly double, likely a testament to escaped slaves who chose to remain in the city. For those runaways who made it to Harrisburg—and due to the heinous nature of the fugitive slave law, which required local authorities to assist in recapturing slaves—runaways often were forced to go on further.

From Harrisburg, routes led east to Lancaster and Philadelphia, as well as north to Sunbury, Williamsport, Elmira and Rochester, N.Y. In Harrisburg, there were various houses and churches throughout the city that were likely used as hiding spots.

An especially well-known location was the area near Commonwealth and Walnut streets, an African-American community then known as Tanner’s Alley. Here, several houses, including those of free blacks Joseph Bustill and William Jones, were stops on the journey northward. Bustill was a schoolteacher, and Jones was a doctor and a merchant, both men highly active in the anti-slavery movement.

According to one source, Bustill wrote several letters to William Still of Philadelphia informing him of the operations of Harrisburg’s Fugitive Slave Society. Bustill, however, was very careful to always refer to “passengers” on the railroad metaphorically, one time mentioning the passage of “four large and two small hams” traveling to Philadelphia.

Bustill, Jones and Tanner’s Alley are three of the more familiar names associated with the Underground Railroad in Harrisburg, but secrecy was what made the railroad a success. Many families, businesses, farms, churches and organizations, some known, and some that will forever remain unknown, formed the web of the Underground Railroad throughout the Keystone State—with the city of Harrisburg as the nexus.

Jason Wilson is an historian for the Capitol Preservation Committee.

CASA Student Scribes: Aches & Energy

January 31, 2014 | by Dany Nagle

Painting of Dany Nagle by CASA student Olivia Allbritton.

It’s a chilly evening in mid-November. I stride down the sidewalk, dressed in a tank top, yoga pants and unzipped hoodie despite the cold. I feel confident and energized as I crunch through a carpet of fallen leaves, strong despite the complaining of my muscles. I’ll be feeling tonight’s class in the morning—in fact, I’m feeling it right now—but I don’t mind.

I reach my car, sit in it in the dark and take inventory: my abs hurt, no surprise there after the floor work; my arms ache—again, not a surprise with the pull-ups I did—and bruises already dot my knees and inner thighs. The top of my right foot stings, but it’s nothing too major—I’ve seen worse cases of pole burn. All in all, a typical catalogue of hurts. And these aren’t just because I’m a newbie, either: most people involved in my sport come home with little injuries much like this after every practice.

This is my sport. This is pole dancing.

Mimi Nicks, a self-taught dancer who has been involved with pole since May 2011, owns my studio, Addicted to the Pole. “I just fell into it,” she says. “I love the flexibility and strength it requires and what it does to my body, my personality and my self-esteem.”

Mimi became an instructor because “I love encouraging women,” she says, going on to explain how pole brings out her inner sexiness and beauty and how she wants other women to feel the same way. She loves seeing her students improve and reach for their goals, explaining, “You can’t be weak in pole, either physically or emotionally.”

Many other talented dancers teach at Addicted, each with their own style and brand of wisdom to pass on to their students. Giselle Butts is the first instructor I encountered at Addicted; she currently teaches intro classes. She tells me she got into the sport because of an exchange student from Colombia who she hosted in September of 2012.

“I asked her what she missed most about home, and she said her pole dancing classes,” Giselle, whose daughter Brittany also dances at Addicted, says. She scheduled a class for the student’s birthday, fell in love with the “vibe of the sport,” and has been involved ever since. She became an instructor as a favor to Mimi, who was short on instructors. “It was a no-brainer,” she says.

I sit with Giselle on the floor of the studio after my intro class and ask her to tell me her favorite pole trick. “The Scorpio,” she answers immediately. “It’s an inverted move, and…do you want me to show you?”

I nod, and Giselle walks over to the pole and climbs it effortlessly before inverting herself, gripping the pole between her left arm and her side. Her left leg hooks around the inside of the pole while her right hangs out from the pole, bent at a perfect 90-degree angle. She holds the pose for a few moments, then flips herself right side up and slides gracefully down the pole, striding back over to me with a smile on her face. She tells me she likes the move because of the control and strength in her legs that it requires. Giselle says she loves the challenge of pole dancing. “It makes me feel beautiful,” she says, also describing how the sport has increased her confidence.

Most people immediately think “stripping” when they hear the term “pole dancing,” but this isn’t necessarily a correct association. While strippers do use a pole, it generally serves as a prop that they use to hold on to and walk around while doing their routine. The sport of pole dancing, however, is much more complicated and requires tremendous amounts of upper body, leg and abdominal strength, as well as flexibility to accomplish the tricks and moves. As a sport, pole dancing has evolved rapidly in recent years, becoming a fitness trend, as well as a new niche for competition. However, some stigma still remains, and many dancers are reluctant to tell others about their passion for the sport. Giselle says she understands the stigma surrounding pole. “It’s starting to change, but I don’t think it has to,” she says. “Our roots are in strip clubs.”

Pole dancing evolved from a combination of worldwide forms of dance, according to the International Pole Dancing Fitness Association. These include Chinese pole and Indian mallakhamb, a form of pole used to train wrestlers. Exotic dance has its roots in ancient times, and one of the earliest recorded instances of strip tease can be found in the Sumerian myth of Inanna, who danced through the seven gates leading to the underworld and removed an article of clothing or jewelry at each one. Exotic pole dance itself appears to have originated in traveling fairs during the 1920s, where performers would dance suggestively around the pole holding the tent where they danced in place. The first recorded pole dance occurred at the Mugwump burlesque club in Oregon in 1968, and pole dancing began as a trend in Canada in the 1980s. Fawnia Dietrich taught the first pole class in 1994, and went on to open the world’s first pole dance school.

Poles used in dancing are made of steel or brass and can be either stationary or spinning. Some poles are made of fiberglass and have LED lights in them for dramatic effect; however, plastic poles aren’t ideal for dance since they tend to bend and give dancers nasty friction burn. Anyone who’s spent any time in a pole studio also knows that any kinds of lotions or oils are strictly banned. They make the pole slick and difficult to grip, which can prove dangerous to someone attempting a trick off the ground. And while some may complain about how skimpy pole costumes can be, this is actually necessary: skin contact with the pole provides maximum grip and friction that you can’t get while wearing leggings or sleeves. Heels aren’t necessary for dancing but do help with some climbs and tricks and make it easier to go higher on the pole from the floor—not to mention the fact that they make your legs look great.

Many pole dancing competitions exist around the world and are sponsored by pole associations, such as the International Pole Dance Fitness Association and the U.S. Pole Dance Federation, the former of which has been very vocal about including pole dance in the Olympics. Mimi competed in the Pole Sport Organization’s competition recently and placed fifth in her division. “I was critiqued, which was the best part,” she says, “especially since I’m self-taught.” She went on to explain how the critiques would help her learn what she needed to work on to be a better dancer, and that she would absolutely compete again.

Despite its work-at-your-own-pace structure, the pole dance community is inclusive, supportive and welcoming to anyone who wishes to try it. “It’s a sisterhood, a family, a church,” Giselle says. “It lifts the spirit.”

Teachers and students will applaud when you learn a new trick, and everyone is more than willing to give tips or advice if you need them. It doesn’t matter if you feel out-of-shape or not strong enough or shy about your body. There’s no judgment. And since pole is a female-dominated sport, it’s easier for women especially to feel welcome and comfortable doing it. At Addicted, men rarely venture inside except for coed and couples classes.

No matter how crappy my day is, something about my pole studio always brightens it. When I step through the doors and shed my clothes in favor of shorts and a tank top, I feel like I’m leaving the little stressors and worries of the day behind. And when I nail a new move, I’m on top of the world for the rest of the day. Pole has really helped me, both emotionally and physically, and I haven’t been dancing long at all. I suppose my studio is aptly named: I am absolutely addicted to the pole, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dany Nagle is a senior at Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA).

Community Corner: Notable Events in February

January 31, 2014 | by Admin

Groundhog Day Celebration

Feb 1: Think warm thoughts of spring at Shipoke’s first-ever Groundhog Day celebration at 10 a.m. at Race Street Park, Race and Conoy streets, Harrisburg. The free event will feature resident groundhog Shipoke Sheena, who will issue a forecast, in addition to music, refreshments, giveaways and children’s activities. For more, visit www.shipoke.org.

Monte Carlo Night

Feb. 1: The Jewish Community Center of Harrisburg hosts a night of professional Monte Carlo games, auctions with fantastic merchandise, hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and live music. The event also features a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, with special prizes awarded to the winners. The night begins at 7 p.m. Prices vary. For more information, visit www.jewishharrisburg.org.

Great American Outdoor Show

Feb. 1-9: After a year hiatus, the annual outdoors show returns to the state Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Now sponsored by the NRA, the show will feature exhibitors, classes, demonstrations and more for all outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. Visit www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org for more.

Fort Hunter History

Feb. 2: History educator Elizabeth Johnson will lead a hands-on workshop on the daily life of Indians and enslaved people who once populated Fort Hunter. The event takes place 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg. Registration required. More information is at www.forthunter.org.

Kim Bracey Address

Feb. 4: York Mayor Kim Bracey will speak of her challenges and triumphs at a Black History Month event sponsored by the Penn State Harrisburg Commission for Women. The event will be held on campus at the Gallery Lounge, starting at noon. More information is at https://harrisburg.psu.edu/calendar/event/celebration-black-history-month.

Nicaragua: A Peace Corps Journey

Feb. 5: The World Culture Club of Central PA will present a lecture by Carol Lindsay, who will discuss her experience teaching English in Nicaragua. She will also explore the culture, geography, history and climate of the country, in addition to information on travel and tourism. The free presentation will be at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., Lecture Room C, 5^th floor, Hershey. Refreshments will be served. For more, visit www.worldcultureclubpa.org.

Babes in Arms

Feb. 6-9, 13-16: Messiah College Theatre Department presents the musical “Babes in Arms,” featuring the music of Richard Rodgers. Performances begin at 8 p.m. with the exception of two 3 p.m. matinees on Feb. 9 and 16. Admission is $10; student and senior citizen rates are $7. For tickets and information, visit www.messiah.edu/theatretickets.

Shea Quinn Sings the Beatles

Feb. 7: Enjoy the Beatles songs you’ve always loved performed by Shea Quinn of The Luv Gods in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Fab Four’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. No registration is necessary, and all ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.fredricksenlibrary.org.

Hot Stove Dinner

Feb. 8: Join the Harrisburg Senators for their fourth annual Hot Stove Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Harrisburg. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., followed by keynote speakers. Other highlights include a silent auction, a raffle and an opportunity for fans to get autographs. Proceeds benefit the Easter Seals of Western and Central Pennsylvania. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.senatorsbaseball.com.

Harris Railroad Tower Museum

Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16: Experience the history of the Pennsylvania railroad system from the vantage point of the Harris Railroad Tower Switch Museum, 637 Walnut St., Harrisburg. The museum is interactive, and guests will have the opportunity to operate machinery and watch and photograph Amtrak and Norfolk Southern trains as they pass. There are limited reservations at the price of $20 per person. For more information, call 717-232-6221 or visit www.harristower.org.

Second Sunday at the Mansion

Feb. 9: Hear Laurene Buckley, executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, speak about SAM’s new museum in Midtown Harrisburg. The talk begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Harris–Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St. A tour of the mansion begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free for members of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, but a suggested donation of $5 is requested. For more information, visit www.dauphincountyhistory.org.

Wildwood Winter Lecture Series

Feb. 11: Randy Cassell, biology teacher at Cumberland Valley High School, gives his talk, “Life in and around a Vernal Pool.” He will focus on the ecology of the pond, as well as the animals that visit it and the need for forest buffers. The 7 p.m. event is free with no pre-registration required. For more information, visit www.wildwoodlake.org.

Networking Mixer

Feb. 12: Socialize with local business professionals while touring The Overlook facility at this free West Shore Chamber of Commerce event at 150 Erford Rd., Camp Hill. The mixer begins at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.wschamber.org.

Women’s Erotic Poetry

Feb. 13: A group of female poets and artists from across central Pennsylvania will join together at Midtown Scholar Bookstore to discuss and read from their sensual works. The event begins at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.almostuptown.com.

Singing Valentines

Feb. 14: Barbershop quartets from the Keystone Capital Chorus will deliver singing valentines to your loved ones. In addition to a love song, the tuxedo-clad quartet will present a long-stemmed rose, a personalized Valentine’s Day card, Hershey’s Kisses and a ticket to the Chorus’ 66^th annual spring dinner show on May 31. Cost is $45. To make arrangements, call 717-730-0289 or visit www.kccsing.com.

Free Day at Civil War Museum

Feb. 15: Enjoy the annual free day at the National Civil War Museum in honor of President’s Day and Black History Month. Experience the museum’s collection, as well as educational programs, music, lectures and games for children and adults. Be sure to check out the new exhibit titled “1864,” commemorating the final full year of the Civil War. For more information, visit www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

Fascinating and Funny Faunae

Feb. 20: Jon Dale presents a collection of fascinating, humorous or unusual photos of the faunae of Pennsylvania and other states. There will be refreshments and a chance to socialize at 7 p.m. A brief meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the presentation to follow. The free event is at Christ Presbyterian Church, 421 Deerfield Rd., Camp Hill. For more, visit www.appalachianaudubon.org.

Chamber Mixer

Feb. 20: Interact and connect with local professionals and organizations, while touring SSS Printing, 901 Market St., New Cumberland. The evening begins at 5 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. There will be several giveaways, and there is no cost to attend. For more information, visit www.wschamber.org.

Millennium Music Conference

Feb. 20-23: The 18^th annual Millennium Music Conference and Showcase will take place at venues throughout the greater Harrisburg area. In addition, workshops, mentoring, exhibits and more will be held at the Best Western Premier, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.musicconference.net.

Doshi Dialogues

Feb. 21: This insightful talk will feature current 3^rd in The Burg artists, R. Andrew Hoff and Jo Margolis, as they discuss the artwork they have displayed in the Doshi Gallery at the Susquehanna Art Museum. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the State Museum, N. 3^rd and North streets, and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.sqart.com.

Garden Expo

Feb. 21-23: The annual PA Garden Expo returns to the state Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, featuring more than 50,000 square feet of manicured gardens, as well as classes, lectures, a market and more. Visit www.pagardenexpo.org for more information.

Susquehanna Folk Music Coffeehouse

Feb. 22: Listen to a talented array of central Pennsylvania’s amateur acoustic musicians. This event will be held at the Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free and runs 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.sfmsfolk.org.

Polar Bear Plunge

Feb. 22: Brace yourself for a cold dip in the Susquehanna River at the annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Activities begin at 10 a.m. followed by the chilly plunge at noon on City Island, just off the Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg. More details are at www.specialolympicspa.org/polar-bear-plunge/harrisburg.

2014 Oscar-Nominated Short Films

Feb. 28: Watch all the short films nominated for Oscars by stopping by the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill during Film Fridays. All five nominees for Animated Short Film will be shown starting at 3:30 p.m., with Live Action Short Film nominees shown at 7 p.m. Documentary Short Film nominees will be shown at a later date. No registration is necessary. For more information, visit www.fredricksenlibrary.org.

CASA Student Scribes: Quidditch, Anyone?

January 31, 2014 | by Kasey Smith

Painting of Kasey Smith by CASA student Olivia Austin.

A woman sat on a bench in a Manchester train station, waiting for a train that wouldn’t arrive for several hours.

Suddenly, a strange idea came to her, an idea so bizarre it seemed real. She sat on her bench seemingly for ages, turning this idea over and over in her mind. She saw only a little boy with black hair, green eyes and round glasses at first, but sitting there and thinking about him produced more ideas. Who was he, what was he like? Who were his friends? His enemies? What made him special? After four hours of waiting and thinking, her train finally arrived, but she firmly fixed the little boy inside her head, not allowing herself to forget him. One day, everyone would know his name, and the name of his creator: Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling.

All of us have, at one point, heard something about Harry Potter. From the get-go, the phenomenon has been infectious. According to Time magazine, what started as a 500-copy first print of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” has expanded to six additional volumes, the entire saga totaling 450 million print copies, translated into 73 languages.

Ever since that first installment hit British bookstores and libraries on June 30, 1997 (the date happens to be one day before both the author’s and the main character’s birthday), everyone wanted to read them—children, parents, friends of anyone who’d read it already. Eventually, the acclaimed book series produced movies, collectible merchandise, Pottermore (a website where users can experience Harry’s journey first-hand through interactive illustrations), a theme park, spinoff books based on the series (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”; “Quidditch through the Ages”; and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”), and a spinoff movie series based on “Fantastic Beasts,” the screenplay of which will be written by Rowling herself.

But just what made these books so enticing and popular? What about them made them deserve their own amusement park, website and spinoffs?

Perhaps the characters themselves. More than 300 actors combined helped create the movie adaptations (according to “Harry Potter: Film Wizardry”), offering something for every fan.

“I love Hermione,” said Zarqua Ansari, an eighth grader and fellow fan of Harry Potter who attends Crestwood Middle School, Mountain Top, Pa. “She is just perfect. I think it’s probably her ingeniousness and the fact that she is a bookish person just like me.”

Having read each volume several times, I understand her: these books have given me best friends, sworn archenemies and the wisest mentors I have ever known. Through seven volumes, readers can watch these characters grow, change and develop, learning the characters’ lessons along with them. We have the ability to explore and understand a character’s motivations, and sometimes we preserve that understanding and take it with us into real-life situations. We relate to and learn from characters and their actions and mistakes, and that’s some of what makes these characters timeless. They become precious to us, and we love them like real people.

“I actually cried when the characters that I loved died because I felt like I knew them and they were important to me,” said Ansari.

Take Draco Malfoy, for example. When we are introduced to him, we see him as a manipulative, condescending, racist bully. Doesn’t sound very nice, does it? He keeps up this unappealing façade until the sixth book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” where we finally see what he has to deal with and why he acts the way he does towards his peers. We see that he is truly a confused child forced to fill his father’s shoes way too early, once glad for the opportunity, but now aware of just how heavy the burden. When we learn why he is the way he is, we’re sorry for him, and we learn the image a person chooses to display often hides both the worst and the best of him — a lesson for everyone.

Audiences have always been fascinated by underdogs—just take a look at movies like “I, Robot,” “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings.” The main characters have all been thrust into a strange, new environment (in one way or another) and must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles for the greater good. You can even go back to Shakespeare—everyone always roots for the star-crossed lovers because we feel sympathy for them. We want them to win. We want any character stuck in an impossible situation to triumph.

When we first meet Harry Potter, he’s living in a closet under the stairs! But through an epic, seven-year journey, we watch him transform from the loneliest child in Surrey to the greatest hero of the wizarding world, defeating monsters, bravely facing enemies when others would turn and run, and always standing up for what’s right. We love his journey because we want to make one like his. We all dream of rising from the ashes and building a better world — and Harry Potter did that. He showed us how to overcome impossible odds.

People can argue about the quality of the books, but no one can deny that they create a sense of belonging. In “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” Harry begins as a scrawny little boy who fits in nowhere, singled out because of his cousin’s tyranny, to a student at a school with child wizards, others like him, where he has an opportunity to make friends. Every school year, the new class of wizarding students separates into four “houses,” each of which has its own dormitory and common room and competes against other houses for the House Cup through the year. This way, every student enters into a close-knit group on which they can depend.

Having a family that likes you because you fit their personality appeals to many. Sometimes, fans want a different type of family; sometimes, they just want a family in the first place. Sometimes, the books strengthen the bonds between existing families: Kelli Cunningham, a Potter-loving 11th grader from Mountain Top, said, “I decided to read [the Harry Potter books] because my sister had told me I should…my sister and I have a tradition of going to see each [new movie] together.”

Islands of Adventure, the sister park of Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., welcomed a new addition in 2010: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The park offers the chance to taste butterbeer and Chocolate Frogs; ride the legendary Buckbeak the hippogriff; and explore Hogwarts castle, fighting dark creatures along the way. The theme park serves as a permanent reminder of the thrilling franchise that Rowling created that day in the train station in Manchester.

Fans are confident that the Harry Potter will stand the test of time. “Of course, the phenomenon will continue,” said Cunningham. “[Harry Potter] isn’t just some phase, it really sticks with you.”

Kasey Smith is a junior at Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA).

A People of Invention: During Black History Month, let’s publicize the intellectual accomplishments of African Americans

January 31, 2014 | by Wendy Jackson-Dowe

Each year, Black History Month rolls around, and I think to myself, “Okay, get ready to hear story after story about and quotes from an outstanding American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Now, hold on, in no way am I attempting to diminish his greatness and impact on our country. I am, however, attempting to enlighten some by sharing certain lessons and stories that are told in my family year round.

As black people, we are often praised and lauded for our physical and artistic talents, yet we have contributed so much more. We are scientists, inventors, doctors, engineers…in other words, we possess incredible intellectual capital that, unfortunately, is not as widely publicized and praised as our other achievements. Again…no hate, simply an expansion of thought and consideration.

When I lived in Maryland, I would visit my children’s school during Black History Month and tell them a story entitled, “What if There Were No More Black People.” The particular version I used is a story of a little boy named Theo, who wakes up one morning and asks his mother, “Mom, what if there were no black people in the world?” His mother thinks about that for a moment and then says, “Son, follow me around today, and let’s just see what it would be like if there were no black people in the world.”

The story goes on to list all types of items invented by black Americans. I would bring in props and ask the children, “How many of you brushed your hair this morning? Raise your hands.” I would raise my hand and most, if not all, of the kids would raise their hands, as well. And so it went on that way.

Now, the story is great in its attempt to highlight the many contributions black Americans have made, yet it also embellishes in some places. I think it’s safe to say that, if a black person had not invented said item, someone eventually would have, as necessity is the mother of all invention and has no color—except for the sista’ who invented hair care products specifically for black women’s hair texture.

So, the world, in my opinion, would have naturally evolved technically and industrially.

With that being said, listed below are a few of the many inventions by black folks:

Garrett A. Morgan invented the automated traffic signal in 1923. Morgan sold the rights to his patent to General Electric for $40,000.

Frederick McKinley Jones invented the portable air conditioning unit used at military field hospitals in World War II. With the use of this invention, the military was able to store perishable, life-saving medicines and blood serum near the theater of battle, helping to save more lives. In 1935, this same man invented the first refrigerated truck.

Madam C.J. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Her business was worth more than $1 million at the time of her death in 1919. She developed hair care products and styling instruments specifically for the needs of black women.

Dr. Charles Drew discovered the technique of storing blood plasma. As a result of this discovery, the first blood bank was formed and many lives have been saved through transfusions of blood and blood products.

Granville T. Woods invented the multiplex telegraph in 1887, a device that allowed train dispatchers and engineers at various stations to communicate with moving trains. Prior to that, collisions were a huge problem. In 1889, he invented an automatic safety cutout for electric circuits.

In 1892, George T. Sampson received the first U.S. patent for a clothes dryer.

Richard Spikes, in 1913, invented automatic directional lights, which would eventually come to be known as automatic directional lights or turn signals.

Percy Julian developed a material known as “bean soup,” a soy protein blend that extinguished gas and oil fires that could not be put out by water. This mixture saved the lives of countless sailors during times of war. In addition, athletes all over the world can thank him for the production of cortisone, which has eased the sufferings of millions.

Elijah McCoy invented the automatic oil cup, which lubricated a train’s axles and bearings while it was in motion, leading to fewer stops and improved safety. It was a huge success that imitators soon tried to cash in. Engineers, though, continued to prefer McCoy’s product. So, when purchasing the part, they’d ask for “the real McCoy,” coining that expression.

In 1883, Jan Ernst Matzeliger developed a machine that would sew the sole to the upper of a shoe in about a minute. His “shoe lasting” machine changed the process of how shoes were made by automating this part of the process that previously was done by hand, thereby cutting the cost of making shoes in half.

In 1882, Lewis Howard Latimer invented a method of making carbon filaments for what became known as the electric incandescent lamp.

George Crum developed the potato chip in 1853.

Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologic surgeon, invented the Laserphaco Probe, a surgical tool that uses a laser to vaporize cataracts.

“By the time we leave for work, Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of blacks,” said Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech delivered in June 1966 at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

As I think of the purposes of Black History Month, a couple of thoughts come to mind: to share information on the many positive contributions that Black Americans have made throughout history and to increase the confidence, pride and self-love we as black folks should embody. I hope, in some small way, I have accomplished this.

I would someday like to see black history discussed in terms of American history. However, in the present, as with other ethnic groups and cultures, we have to tell our stories in order for the facts and occurrences to accurately hold their places in the history of our great nation.

Wendy Jackson-Dowe of Harrisburg is a consultant, serves as the government relations director with the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA and is a former engineer with ExxonMobil .

Musical Notes: Fem Feb–this month, the ladies make the music.

January 31, 2014 | by Dan Webster

I promised to balance the scales this February with leading ladies. In addition, the Millennium Music Conference returns this month to the midstate stage, hitting venues in and around Harrisburg.

One diversion from the norm is a plug in the mentionable section for a young Colombian blues player who has an affinity for central Pa. His name is Carlos Elliot Junior, and he’ll be playing on Jan. 31, barely making the February cut.

Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Appalachian Brewing Company, 2/12, 8 p.m., $10

This band’s name is suggestive of their music—funky. Mary Frances (vocals and keyboard) leads this itinerant group around the country, evangelizing their brand of funk. “Onward!” is their most recent album, dropping in late October. The track, “Trunk Fallin’ Off,” is a blend of old school hip-hop and straight-up rap and encourages you to dance that derriere off. The album opener, “Ante Up,” is a more straightforward funk tune, employing horns and more instrumentation and relying more on the repetitious, but smooth-sounding, lyrics found in this genre. If you have the dance-bone and are in for an upbeat time, this show will be just that.

Clannad, Whitaker Center, 2/7, 8 p.m., $29

Clannad is a New Age Celtic band, comprised of three siblings (Moya, Pol and Ciaran Brennan) and their twin uncles (Padraig and Noel Nuggan). Everyone knows the Brennan’s sister, Enya, but they were the first to blend Gaelic and pop/rock and have been rewarded for their hit tunes, “I Will Find You,” (theme from “The Last of the Mohicans”) and “In a Lifetime” (featuring Bono), selling 15 million records worldwide. Their legacy is as the forerunners of earthly/spiritual music, and Moya’s voice got quite the endorsement when Bono said she “has one of the greatest voices…ever.”

Millennium Music Conference, 2/20-2/23, venues in Harrisburg/Camp Hill/New Cumberland/Lewisberry/Duncannon

The 18^th Annual Millennium Music Conference is part-educational/mentoring for young artists and a way for emerging musicians to showcase their talents. The lineup is loaded at bars, venues and restaurants in the area. Be sure to hit up their website to see the roster of events. Locally, bands will be performing at Anthony’s, The Abbey Bar, Carley’s, Ceolta’s, Midtown Scholar, Momo’s, Stage on Herr and Suba. In the past, the music has been hit-or-miss, but this is certainly a lens into the farm league of East Coast artists.

Mentionables: Carlos Elliot Jr., Stage on Herr, 1/31; Jimkata, Appalachian Brewing Company, 2/5; Roofbeams, The MakeSpace, 2/15

The Grain Escape: Einkorn offers a nutty alternative to potatoes, rice.

January 31, 2014 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I’m 100-percent Italian, and I love potatoes. I always have. I think, if given the chance, I would take them with me, along with ice cream, to a deserted island. And I like them prepared any way: mashed (especially), baked with sour cream and chives, stuffed with cheese and re-baked, roasted with rosemary and, in the summer, in my late Aunt Cackie’s famous potato salad.

How much do I love spuds? In a restaurant, I will order an entrée if it comes with whipped potatoes.

But here we are in 2014, and potatoes and other “white” foods, such as rice, bread, sugar and flour, seem to be in the doghouse of cooking. Even in my house.

Yes, there’s concern about glycemic index and rising blood sugar. One of my adult sons is “avoiding carbs.” And I recently received a not-so-favorable blood sugar report. So, I was searching for something besides brown rice to serve with dinner.

My friend, Peggy Harder, who runs a gourmet food stand (Peggy’s Silver Spoon) at the West Shore Farmers Market, suggested I try some of the new whole grains she is carrying. She was already selling steel cut oats, barley and many different kinds of rice. One day, she handed me a bag of einkorn, which, she said, was the oldest known grain from Italy. I had never heard of it and was skeptical. But she told me to take it home and try it. The little bag sat in my pantry for several weeks alongside my never-used package of farro, another Mediterranean grain.

Then, one evening, I gave the einkorn a try, and I fell in love. It was delicious, with a chewy consistency and nutty taste. I buy it frequently now and have spent a little time trying to research exactly what this little grain is.

Einkorn, similar to farro and spelt, is said to be the oldest and purest variety of wheat ever recorded, as in going back to biblical times. It is packed with antioxidants, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and protein and is thought to be lower in gluten than today’s genetically altered wheat.

I followed the directions on the package and found it easy to make.

Rinse 1 1/8 cup of einkorn in a colander and combine with 8 cups of water in a medium saucepan.
I add a little salt (although the package directions do not call for it).
Add a teaspoon or so of olive oil and stir to combine.
Bring to boil and then lower the heat to medium low.
Simmer until the einkorn is tender, about 35 minutes.
Drain and add a little more olive oil to moisten if you wish.
That is it!

So far, I have only served einkorn as a side dish, mostly with chicken and fish. But here are some ideas I plan to try:

Cook the grain with rich chicken broth and add Parmesan cheese. This would be a great substitute for risotto, which is made with white Arborio rice.
Combine the cooked einkorn with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or spinach. You get your starch and vegetable in one dish.
Use the cooked einkorn in your favorite pasta salad recipe. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Use the cooked grain in place of pasta with some good marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Peggy gave me another primitive grain to try. It is called freekeh, an organic cracked grain that is similar to and cooked the same way as einkorn. I like them both and find them to be a welcome addition to my weekly menus. And I think I’m ready to pull out my package of farro and try a hearty soup for winter.

Potatoes and pasta will always remain my best loves, but I am making room for new friends in the kitchen. I think you will like them too.

Reaching Normalcy: Mayor’s first goal–a normally functioning city.

January 31, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Over the past few years, my out-of-town friends and family have let me know whenever they’ve heard or read something about Harrisburg. It happens often and, when it does, I immediately brace myself, prepared to bat down questions having to do with:

Financial crisis. Even my casual news-following friends have read all about the lowlights of Harrisburg’s fiscal ignominy.

Scumbags. I don’t know why a silly, flip remark from the mayor of Harrisburg garnered international attention, but it did.

Wild West artifacts. An Old West museum in Harrisburg, Pa.? In Harrisburg? Really? This one took A LOT of explaining.

Mostly, their questions have been sincere (Hey, what’s the deal with that incinerator?), with a few bad jokes tossed in (So, you really burned through your money, huh?). Ha-ha.

When I visited friends and family over the holidays, I received several questions about our latest contribution to the national conversation: the poor, shattered New Year’s Eve strawberry. Evidently, National Public Radio and a few other news outlets thought their audiences would enjoy a good, seasonal chuckle at our expense.

I was asked how it broke, to which I could just say that they hauled it a few stories up the Harrisburg Hilton—then ker-plop. And then I was asked, “why a strawberry?” with folks eager to learn some interesting historical link between Harrisburg and that wonderful springtime fruit. When I responded that, well, there’s this alley called Strawberry Street with an enclosed mall called Strawberry Square built over it, they seemed not impressed at all.

But, ah, then I saw my opportunity.

“This is how I look at it,” I said. “It’s a new year, with new leadership for the city, so I see the shattered strawberry as a symbolic break from the past.”

A stretch?

Maybe, but I’m reasonably confident that Harrisburg is about to change considerably, and I’m hopeful that this change will be for the better. I don’t expect Harrisburg to turn overnight into a paradise (or even Pittsburgh), but I think that it can become what I might call a “normal city” relatively quickly.

So, what is a normal city?

A normal city is a place that lives within its means, can pay its bills and isn’t always dodging creditors.

A normal city is a place with conscientious, caring leadership, where residents don’t nervously await the mayor’s next miscue, intemperate remark or conflict.

A normal city is a place that provides solid, if not always spectacular, basic municipal services.

A normal city is a place where people like to be and don’t worry excessively about their safety.

A normal city is a place with enough stability that people feel confident planning for the future and doing business.

In “City Contented, City Discontented,” an excellent collection of columns about Harrisburg, journalist Paul Beers tells of Steve Reed’s first months as mayor. Already, he wrote, both the promise and the peril of Reed’s leadership were evident. He was ambitious, smart and had some creative ideas, but he also was imperious, overly confident and pugnacious, showing early signs of his ends-justify-the-means approach to governance.

Similarly, former Mayor Linda Thompson set the tone for her mayoralty early on. Within six months, she had shown herself to be domineering and confrontational, often personalizing issues to the detriment of good governance. While she showed some capacity to improve over her term, the basic tenor of her leadership never changed.

Therefore, to know whether Mayor Eric Papenfuse can make Harrisburg function as a “normal city”—or what to expect from him—we should pay close attention to his first six months in office. By mid-year, we should have a decent idea of his leadership style, his priorities, his capabilities, his strengths and his weaknesses.

In many places, normalcy would be judged as a low bar to aim for. However, in Harrisburg, it would represent an improvement, an end to years of uninterrupted crisis. Stability and predictability need to return to life here, a clear break from the recent past, as symbolized (if accidentally) by our broken strawberry. After that, we can start thinking greater thoughts.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Affordable Luxury: Authenticity, freshness flavor the experience at Fusion Fire.

January 31, 2014 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Frank and Zhangji (also known as Vivian) Dominick worked for others for many years—he as a district sales manager and she as a computer programmer for the Pennsylvania Senate. The intrepid couple, longing to be in control of their own destiny, set the wheels in motion several years ago to start their own business.

Vivian, a Shanghai native, knew more than most about Asian cuisine and Frank, originally from Baltimore, was game for learning as the couple toyed with the concept of opening a restaurant. They bounced the idea off a few friends who owned restaurants in China and, after visiting the country in 2007, they decided to take the plunge. “They gave us a lot of pointers, and the idea of opening a restaurant of our own resonated with them, so they became our mentors,” said Frank.

When the husband and wife team learned that the building located conveniently across from the restaurant supply store on Simpson Ferry Road in Camp Hill was available, they jumped at the opportunity to purchase the property. Construction began while they worked full-time at their day jobs.

Today, the New Cumberland residents, who have been married seven years, devote their time exclusively to the establishment and work well together as a team. He runs the back of the house, she the front.

Upon entering the BYOB, one is immediately aware that this isn’t your typical Chinese restaurant. Their slogan, “luxury dining can be affordable,” is evident in the feel of the décor, featuring rich dark woods and etched glass panels that separate various sections of the room. Luxurious gold chandeliers contribute to the upscale atmosphere. To maintain authenticity, the couple had everything made in China and shipped to the restaurant.

One of the bigger challenges the couple has faced is the misconception that they’re a typical Asian place. “A lot of the food available is unhealthy and commercialized. When people think of Asian food, they think ‘takeout.’ We wanted to create a restaurant where we, as a couple, would choose to dine—where everything is made to order and all the ingredients are fresh,” said Frank.

The cuisine features sushi, Thai, Asian and hotpot, along with a bit of Vietnamese sprinkled in for good measure. That turned out to be a good idea since the Vietnamese beef, described as sliced steak in an aromatic sauce served over a bed of onions, is one of their most popular entrees.

For those unfamiliar with hotpot, it’s an Asian tradition dating back 1,000 years, according to Frank. The dining experience, meant to be communal, centers around a simmering pot of stew that takes center stage in the middle of the table and is kept hot by built-in induction burners. Diners choose from a variety of meats ranging from kobe beef to pork and lamb. Seafood like scallops and prawns are also an option, along with noodles and a variety of vegetables and dipping sauces. Patrons then proceed to cook their own meals.

“We offer two flavors of broth. People can mix and match to their taste. Vegetarians can dine with people who eat meat, and those who don’t enjoy spicy foods can eat with those who do,” said Vivian.

On a recent visit, the parking lot was full during the restaurant’s weekly “sushi club night,” where patrons can order off the regular menu or opt for the chef’s selection. A sampler platter features 10 pieces of five types of rolls, which are also offered on the menu.

When my husband and I visited, we ordered the platter, and each piece was flavorful, fresh and delicious. If we were forced to crown a favorite, however, it would be the fire roll comprised of lightly breaded, smoked salmon, eel and cream cheese, topped with hot sauce and caviar. Every bite was a delight.

A group of Harrisburg residents dined nearby in a separate room they reserved for the evening. Robyn and Sara Sitz joined Nate Melton and Mike Kravanis in sampling the chef’s selections.

Melton said he learned about the business during the construction phase and wasted no time asking the owners if they would be up for hosting a diversity networking group. The place was a hit with the group, and he has been returning ever since, keeping a long-standing date with friends every Thursday for sushi club night.

“This place is always consistent in both flavor and quality,” said Melton. “The owners are very involved, and they care about the food. No one cuts any corners here.”

Kravanis agreed. “This isn’t your standard Chinese fare. They use fresh ingredients, and it makes for a very upscale experience.”

Robyn said her favorite dish is the tropical mango chicken, which marries bell pepper and onion in a spicy mango sauce, while Sara’s favorite is the drunken noodle, a Thai concoction that features stir-fried noodles, with fresh basil and a choice of chicken, beef or shrimp.

Sara said the service is top notch as well. “The staff here is very nice,” she said.

Despite being in business for just a few years, the Dominicks have successfully mastered the art of melding excellent cuisine with a fine dining experience—and that’s just the right the recipe for many happy returns.

Fusion Fire is located at 3421 Simpson Ferry Rd., Camp Hill. For more, call 717-731-1188 or visit www.fusionfire.com.

Sweets for Sweetie: Ignore the fungus; think about the love.

January 31, 2014 | by Steve Juliana

For such a short month, February is filled with celebrations. It contains weather forecasts by rodents, presidential birthdays and, my favorite, a holiday devoted to love.

It is wonderful that an entire day is dedicated to appreciating our significant others. Fine dining seems to be a great way to spend time with our loved ones, and the best way to end such a happy time is with a glass of dessert wine.

The three best in the world are all the color of gold in the glass and exist solely due to a mold known as the “noble rot.” The scientific term is Botrytis cinerea. This fungus occurs in only a few wine regions in Europe, but concentrates the flavor and sweetness of the grapes into a heavenly elixir. These are not inexpensive due to the labor-intensive hand harvesting, which can go as far as cutting individual grapes from the bunches.

The French wine comes from the Graves area of Bordeaux in a small group of villages known as Sauternes. The main grapes are semillon and sauvignon blanc. This is a sweet and wonderful quaff with a creamy taste and a distinctive nuttiness. The finish is clean and long, not at all cloying, which is a surprising feature for such a sweet wine. Try it alone or with dessert.

Beerenauslese is the German term for that country’s sweeter noble rotted wine. Here, riesling is the main player with intensity and balance rolled into one. The wine is rich with caramel and honey, but is never overpowering due to the high acidity that the grapes contribute. This is a rare treat that should be sought and appreciated—a truly unique treasure.

Hungary produces the legendary Tokay aszú. Older than the other wines mentioned here, aszú comes in various levels of sweetness ranging from three to six “puttonyos.” The higher the number, the higher the sugar and, usually, the higher the price. The main grape here is furmint. Once the fruit has developed the fungus, it is called aszú. The harvested berries are kneaded into a pulp to which regular Tokay wine is added. Depending on the amount of these noble aszú, the wine takes on its sweetness and richness.

This is a truly unique quaff. It has sparked its own lore across the world, as it was cherished for centuries by the crowned heads of Europe. French monarch Louis XV called it the “ king of wines and the wine of kings.” Nowadays, it is available to everyone. So, you and I can drink a wine that was prized by the tsars of Russia and the royalty of France.

As you sit across the table from your significant other, I hope you can enjoy one of these wines, which are as unique as the two of you. Just don’t mention the fungus.

Keep sipping, Steve

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