Tag Archives: harrisburg

June Editor’s Note

May 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, Harrisburg received some stunning news.

It was about tacos.

TheBurg broke a story that the city’s beloved taco truck would be no more. The third-generation owner was trading in his wheels for a permanent, brick-and-mortar location downtown.

You can’t blame the guy. Eventually, we all put aside our nomadic ways and look to settle down in a place with a few rooms and a bath.

I personally delighted in the news, since the MASA restaurant (opening this month) will have extended hours, will be open in the winter, and will be near my house. And, like much of Harrisburg, I love their tacos!

But, even more so, I was happy that their storefront (316 N. 2nd St.) will be occupied again. Much of Harrisburg has survived the pandemic in relatively good shape, but it’s taken a toll on the downtown.

Due to fewer state and office workers, a stroll down 2nd or 3rd streets often seems like a lonely exercise. Yes, the neighborhood has come back a bit, but it has a long way to go to reach its pre-pandemic state.

So, this is an appeal, an appeal to visit downtown Harrisburg. There are some wonderful restaurants there, most still operating. Remember that great meal you had just before COVID hit? There’s no need to sit at home and reminisce—just come on in and take a table!

Since it’s June, that table might be outdoors. And, since it’s June, you’ll also find TheBurg outdoors, as it’s our annual issue focused on “summer fun.”

Within these pages, you’ll discover numerous stories about day trips, festivals and outdoors activities. We also toss in a little history, some arts events and a community feature or two.

June may be my favorite month of the year. The air is warm, and the days are long, perfect for a baseball game on City Island, al fresco dining on a city sidewalk or socializing with friends in your own backyard, late into the night.

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Click here to read the digital version of our June magazine.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Road milling begins on 2nd Street, as the two-way conversion project proceeds

April 4, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The milling process began on N. 2nd Street on Monday

Harrisburg is driving forward with a long-awaited project to transform N. 2^nd Street from one-way to two-way traffic.

On Monday, construction workers and equipment took over a stretch of the street as they began milling the road—a major next step in the multi-year initiative.

The milling process, which includes removing the top layer of pavement from the road, will take about three weeks, according to the city. One or two lanes may be closed at portions of the road during construction. The road will remain one-way during the 2022 construction season, the city said in a statement.

Parking will be restricted on certain parts of N. 2^nd Street on the following dates:

April 4: Right side, Forster Street to Hamilton Street
April 5: Left Side, Forster Street to Hamilton Street
April 6: Left side, Clinton Street to Woodbine Street
April 7: Right side, Clinton Street to Woodbine Street
April 8: Right side, Maclay Street to Radnor Street
April 11: Left side, Maclay Street to Radnor Street
April 12: Left side, Schuylkill Street to Division Street
April 13: Right side, Schuylkill Street to Division Street

“No parking” signs are posted. These parking restrictions are enforced from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city ceremoniously broke ground on the two-way conversion project in May 2021, with the goal of making N. 2^nd Street safer and more walkable. Since then, contractors have constructed many ADA-accessible ramps at intersections along the street to comply with PennDOT’s construction guidelines.

In addition to converting the street to two-way traffic, the plan calls for the construction of several roundabouts at intersections along the corridor and added pedestrian and bike-friendly elements.

The N. 2^nd Street project is part of Harrisburg’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030.

For more information about the N. 2^nd Street two-way conversion project, visit the city’s website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Hidden Gems of HBG: A Bonus Valentine’s Day Podcast

February 14, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

What are the hidden gems of Harrisburg? And where are these sparkling treasures?

That’s what we asked nearly all of our podcast guests over the past year. But—surprise, surprise—we saved these audio treasures for this bonus Valentine’s Day episode.

This special Valentine’s Day edition of TheBurg Podcast is sponsored by Explore HBG.

Nearly 25 guests reveal their favorite, go-to places they consider unique to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. And some of the answers may surprise you: They range from sparkling gems of nature to the capital city’s cultural gems, outstanding restaurants and businesses, iconic architectural gems, plus even a few quirky local gems. Some are truly hidden, off-the-beaten-path gems.

Discover the hidden gems of the Burg, on TheBurg Podcast: Hosted by Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg; and Karen Hendricks, TheBurg Podcast’s host and producer.

Guests, sharing their hidden gems, include:

Melissa Brown, UPMC Central PA
Fred Burton, Harrisburg-based writer
George Conrad, president, Standing Stone Trail Club
Karen Cullings, executive director of the Daphin County Library System
Seth Dellinger, Animal Advocates of Central PA
Jenifer Donnelly of Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg
Clare Flannery, Harrisburg runner
Monica Gould, DEI expert, of Strategic Consulting Partners,
Rich Hauck, TheBurg illustrator
Brad Jones, Harristown president and CEO
Kasey Jordan, Harrisburg native and ice skater with Revolution Ice Unity
Kevin Kulp, president, Harrisburg Senators
Maestro Stuart Malina of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
Maureen Marks of Maureen Marks Arts
Diane McCormick, freelance writer for TheBurg
Sammi Leigh Melville, TheBurg’s resident film writer
Rod Mortel, High Hopes for Haiti
Melissa Nicholson of Gamut Theatre
Steph Perez, Harrisburg artist
Ian Potter, muralist and Harrisburg native
Peter Sirotin of the Harrisburg Symphony and Market Square Concerts
Crystal Skotedis, Harrisburg resident, principal with Boyer & Ritter LLC
Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District
Andrew Williams, music teacher, Reach Cyber Charter School

TheBurg Podcast introduces you to some of the Harrisburg area’s most fascinating people, through their own authentic stories, expanded from every month’s magazine–because there’s always “more to the story.” TheBurg Podcast is released monthly on the second Friday of every month. It is hosted and produced by Karen Hendricks, an award-winning journalist and PR professional. Visit her website here.

TheBurg Podcast received two prestigious awards in 2021: First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter; and Honorable mention, Keystone Media Award, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation.

To sponsor a future episode of TheBurg Podcast, contact Lauren ([email protected]). TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pa.; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

2021 Midstate Table

April 30, 2021 | by Admin

March News Digest

February 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg Proposes Affordable Housing Bill

Affordable housing has been a long-debated topic in city hall, but now it seems that words are translating into action.

Harrisburg proposed a package of affordable housing legislation last month that would incentivize developers to incorporate affordable rental units into their building plans.

“I am very excited about this,” said Nona Watson, director of economic development for the city. “We are well on our way to establishing our affordable housing program.”

The package consists of several bills designed to encourage affordable housing through the use of incentives like tax abatement and zoning relief. Additionally, the city will satisfy street vacation application requirements, if needed.

Other incentives to developers may include density bonuses, which would permit developers to build more units than allowed by right on a property, explained Geoffrey Knight, the city’s director of planning. Incentives may also include reducing parking requirements. Knight explained that research has found that lower-income households are less likely to own a car.

Developers who apply and receive a Certificate of Qualification will have a set of rules they must follow in order to receive benefits.

According to the proposed bill, developers must provide 20% of their units as affordable for low-income households, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The units must be made available to rent at a price that does not exceed 30% of a household’s monthly income.

Additionally, developers need to keep the units at an affordable rent for at least 10 years.

The requirements also state that units must look the same and include the same heating and cooling systems and other improvements as the market-rate units. Affordable housing units must be made available for rent at the same time as market-rate units.

“We want to make sure that what we put out there is actually going to work,” Watson said.

Harrisburg to Buy Former Bank Building

Harrisburg is set to expand its office footprint, adding a new building in Midtown for city workers.

At a virtual legislative session last month, City Council unanimously voted to allow the city to purchase the former M&T Bank building on N. 7th Street to transform into offices for its engineering and traffic departments.

“This is a space that is needed due to the requirement of additional space for the public works engineering department,” said council member Ben Allatt.

In November, council voted to reallocate 2020 funds to purchase the building for $375,000, which Mayor Eric Papenfuse touted as a good deal since it was appraised at $675,000.

Papenfuse said that the $300,000 reduction in purchase price constituted a donation by M&T to the city.

“We’re greatly thankful to M&T for their continued support,” he said.

The ATM machine currently at the building will remain on-site as part of a lease agreement with M&T Bank.

At a prior council session, Papenfuse explained that, as part of PennDOT’s I-83 expansion project, part of the city’s Department of Public Works building on Paxton Street will be lost to eminent domain, requiring the traffic bureau to move. City Engineer Wayne Martin added that the growing department also needs more space.

The traffic bureau likely will share the building with the city’s engineering department, which currently is spread out among different office locations, Martin said. Many engineering employees will move out of the public safety building downtown, freeing up space for the expanding community policing team.

Renovations and remodels of the building are included in Harrisburg’s 2021 budget. It will likely cost around $192,000 for demolitions, renovations, HVAC replacement and security additions, among other items, Papenfuse said. He estimated that the annual cost of utilities and maintenance for the building would be around $60,200.

HHA Announces “Preservation Priorities”

One of Harrisburg’s oldest structures is a top preservation priority for 2021, the city’s principal historic preservation organization has announced.

At a virtual presentation, Historic Harrisburg Association unveiled its top five preservation priorities for the year.

The list includes Balsley House, a dilapidated, double building located downtown at 220 N. 2nd St. Dating back almost two centuries, Balsley House is one of the few remaining federal-period buildings in Harrisburg.

“It’s one of the oldest structures still standing in Harrisburg,” said Sara Sweeney, chair of HHA’s preservation committee. “It’s deteriorating. It’s in very bad shape, especially if you go around to the back.”

The 2,590-square-foot building, owned since 2006 by Dusan Bratic of Mechanicsburg, has housed many different businesses over its lifetime, but has sat empty and increasingly blighted for a number of years.

“We’re hoping to really raise awareness of this property over the next year,” Sweeney said. “With the revitalization that Harrisburg is really primed for, hopefully we can make some strides to bringing this building back to life before we lose it.”

The other properties on the 2021 list are:

William Penn High School, Uptown Harrisburg
Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC, Uptown Harrisburg
Harrisburg State Hospital campus, Harrisburg/Susquehanna Township
Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House, Allison Hill/city line

William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and the Harrisburg State Hospital campus are all on the market for sale. Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House was severely damaged last year when it was struck by a car.

Balsley House, William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and Harrisburg State Hospital all appeared on the 2019 list, as well.

Sweeney also noted several Harrisburg buildings that have been restored in recent years, calling them “wins.” These include the former Mary K mansions on Front Street, the former Fox Hotel in Shipoke, Locust Street houses downtown and the former Moose Lodge in Midtown.

Eviction Ban Extended

Harrisburg residents behind on rent due to the pandemic can take a deep breath once again.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced last month that he would extend the city’s ban on evictions for another 30 days into mid-March.

“It is important that we continue this eviction moratorium for the health and safety of our residents during these difficult times,” Papenfuse said.

This is the second extension the mayor has enacted since the original eviction moratorium declaration on Dec. 16. The first extension took place on Jan. 16.

Under the moratorium, no resident can be evicted for non-payment of rent or lease expiration. This does not include eviction for other reasons, such as property damage or criminal activity.

“We don’t want to make a homelessness situation worse,” Papenfuse said. “We don’t want to make it harder for people to have safe and reasonable shelter in the midst of a pandemic.”

The original order was adopted after city officials found that there likely would be hundreds of people facing eviction at the start of 2021, since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s moratorium was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. They predicted that there would not be enough shelter space for the increased number of homeless residents. The CDC’s order has since been extended until March 31.

Harrisburg’s declaration gives the city the power to fine non-complying landlords up to $10,000 or 90 days in jail.

Homes Sales Flat, Prices Up

Home sales were generally flat in January in the Harrisburg area, though price appreciation continued to be strong.

For Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, home sales totaled 502 units, a small decline from 515 units in the year-ago period, but the median sales price shot up to $194,700 versus $179,900 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

Dauphin County saw a slight bump in sales, which totaled 240 homes versus 238 in January 2020. The median price increased to $174,900 from $169,900, GHAR said.

In Cumberland County, sales declined to 221 residential units versus 228 the prior year, but the median price rose to $224,950 from $195,450, GHAR stated.

Perry County had 29 home sales in January compared to 25 a year ago, as the median price increased substantially to $174,900 versus $141,500 in January 2020, according to GHAR.

Homes were also selling faster in January. The average days on the market dropped to 31 days compared to 42 days a year earlier, GHAR said.

So Noted

Dauphin County Library System won a Dauphin County “Premier Project Award’’ from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for its “Your Place to Belong” campaign. The campaign focused on expanding the McCormick Riverfront Library with the restoration and linking of an adjacent historic townhome.

DTLR/Villa has made a temporary move to 309-311 Market St., the former location of Rite Aid. The clothes and athletic wear store will return to its permanent location at 333 Market St. later this spring following an extensive renovation and expansion of that space.

Harrisburg University and Lackawanna College have signed an agreement that will make it easier for Lackawanna College students to continue their education at HU. Under the agreement, qualified students who earn an associate of science degree in cyber security from Lackawanna College will be able to transfer into HU’s bachelor of science in cyber security operations and management program at junior level standing.

Harry’s Bistro has opened in a classic steel diner at 1933 Herr St. in Harrisburg, serving breakfast and lunch. The father/daughter duo of Lou and Anna Vazquez named their business for the venerable Allison Hill tavern that operated for five decades, modeling some of their menu after classic Harry’s dishes.

“Ice in the Burg” takes place this month at locations around Harrisburg. The three-day festival starts March 5 with a drive-through ice sculpture display on City Island. It continues on March 6 and 7, when over 40 small and large sculptures will be placed at locations around the city.

New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally kicks off for the season on March 11, held each second Thursday through December at Market Square in New Cumberland. The event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature numerous food trucks, and some local businesses and restaurants also will host specials and entertainment.

Changing Hands

Allison Ct., 4: Lemoyne Land Corp. Inc. to F. Hench, $96,200

Berryhill St., 2410: J. Washington to J. Anthony & D. Hill, $64,900

Brookwood St., 2436: E. Noon to C. Austin, $73,000

Calder St., 268: B. Roller to S. Elias, $138,000

Chestnut St., 1955: P. Trustey to A. Luchansky, $62,500

Chestnut St., 2306: M. O’Donnell, A. Sullivan & C. Walsh to N. Etter, $173,000

Emerald St., 317: PNC Bank to C. Brown, $47,500

Forrest St., 603 & 605: B. & C. Rucker to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $59,000

Greenwood St., 2712: P. & Q. Ritter to G. Burke, $85,000

Hamilton St., 279: W. Hoover to J. Eaton, $220,000

Herr St., 415 & 426 Snipe Alley: K. Baran & R. Gillis to D. & H. Bliss, $120,000

Holly St., 1805: BSR Rental Trust to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $56,000

Hummel St., 210: ICE Properties to Brethren Housing Association, $85,000

Kensington St., 2006: D., S. & B. Zimmerman to S. Carr, $60,000

Kensington St., 2436: L. Sim to C. Zapata, $64,000

Lewis St., 313: S. & B. Ballenger to R. Freeman, $96,500

Liberty St., 1415 & 1417: L. Wigington to Blue Door Management LLC, $40,000

Logan St., 2347: RT Propertiez LLC to S. Maurer, $30,500

Lowell St., 1309: C. Lindberg to Dinh Investments, $40,000

Luce St., 2324: CR Property Group LLC to Ryan Randall Properties LLC, $121,000

North St., 1511: Y. Reuvenny to S. Gross, $56,000

North St., 1827: W. Cajina to G. Osborne, $89,900

N. 2nd St., 1211: Mussani & Co. to N&R Group LLC, $240,000

N. 2nd St., 1430: J. Rotegliano to Harrisburg Apartments LLC, $135,000

N. 2nd St., 1615: S. & D. Miller to MR RE LLC, $128,000

N. 2nd St., 2009 and 2000 & 2002 Penn St.: L. Rotegliano to HBG Apts LLC, $110,000

N. 2nd St., 2343: S. & T. Dunford to I. Stubblefield, $180,000

N. 2nd St., 2802: S. Gallagher & C. Prestia to P. Kessler, $200,000

N. 3rd St., 1626: C. Grilli to D. & M. Soisson, $150,000

N. 3rd St., 1910: Integrity First Homebuyers LLC to D. Roa, $35,000

N. 4th St., 2033: J. Frey to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000

N. 4th St., 2543: L. Deatrick to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $55,000

N. 5th St., 2546: TKO Rental Properties LLC to A. & A. Volk, $86,000

N. 6th St., 2001: Jamil Karimm LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $300,000

N. 6th St., 3152: Neidlinger Enterprises to K. Scheurer, $115,000

N. 19th St., 43: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Julie Burns IRA to D. Boyle, $34,250

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 412: H. Garner to M. Colton & K. Tennis, $160,000

Norwood St., 925: M. Archie to T. Higgins & S. Owens, $145,000

Park St., 1837: KBR Group LLC to AP Properties Services LLC, $30,000

Parkway Blvd., 2437: KMM Development LLC to T. Washington, $179,500

Penn St., 1616: P. Bayer to Veso Properties LLC, $45,000

Penn St., 2322: BSR Rental Trust to D. Nguyen, $50,000

Rolleston St., 1244: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Whitestone Development LLC, $109,995

Rumson Dr., 361: H. & M. Miller to M. DePasquale, $44,000

Rumson Dr., 2970: D. Myers to S. Russell, $106,000

S. 13th St., 1413: C. Littles to Integrity Home Buyers LLC, $40,500

S. 13th St., 1466: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1466 S. 13th LLC, $100,000

S. 18th St., 317: M. & M. Perry to F. Ramirez, $40,000

S. 19th St., 10: D. Lightner to J. Gritten, $67,000

Susquehanna St., 1816: R. & C. Steele to M. Bush & S. Anderson, $179,500

Swatara St., 2239: H. Drothler to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $75,000

Taylor Blvd., 52: V. & S. Vdov to F. de Perez, $120,000

Valley Rd., 2300: M. & R. Lewis to S. & S. Anthony, $269,000

Waldo St., 2618: Midatlantic IRA LLC Cynthia Hampton IRA to F. Sisic, $53,000

Walnut St., 1936: M. Molinar to A. Ryabukha, $87,000

Harrisburg property sales for January 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg opens downtown garage for free parking during snowstorm

February 17, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A view of Penn Street during a snowstorm in January.

As the remaining piles of snow from a few weeks ago melt away, it looks like they may build back up again tomorrow.

With another snowstorm bearing down, Harrisburg has announced free parking for city residents at the Locust Street Garage, beginning Wednesday night at 6 p.m. and extending through Friday at 6 p.m.

In addition, parking restrictions will not be enforced for street sweeping on Thursday, according to the city.

The city’s Public Works Department has 16 slow plow trucks ready to be deployed, and they will begin salting the roads at the beginning of the snowfall. If your street has not been plowed, call 3-1-1.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Harrisburg area. The forecast calls for 6 to 9 inches of snow with a light glaze of ice.

Updated on 2/18/20 to reflect the extension of free parking until Friday instead of Thursday.

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To Harrisburg… Love, TheBurg: A Bonus Valentine’s Day Podcast

February 12, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

What do you love about the Burg?

That’s what we asked nearly all of our podcast guests over the past year. But—surprise, surprise—we saved the audio for this bonus Valentine’s Day episode.

Nearly 25 guests share their stories about Harrisburg and what makes this Pennsylvania city so livable—and lovable.

Hosted by Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg; and Karen Hendricks, host of TheBurg Podcast.

Guests, sharing the love for Harrisburg, include:

Joe Arthur, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Amie Bantz, Harrisburg-based artist
Linda Beck, Harrisburg, of Braver Angels
Karen Cotter of Better Angels
Sheila Dow-Ford, Impact Harrisburg
Dani Fresh, Harrisburg-based photojournalist
Phil George, area artist and radio personality
Cindy Gorski, Harrisburg Bicycle Club
Wendell Hoover, Iron Valley Real Estate
Andrea Karns, Karns Quality Foods
Peter Leonard, Little Amps Coffee
Sam Levine, Red Door Consignment Gallery
Blake Lynch, Harrisburg Bureau of Police
Bob MacGinnes, Bob’s Art Blog for TheBurg
Diane McCormick, Harrisburg, freelance writer for TheBurg
Jason Meckes, Visit Hershey and Harrisburg
Jennie O’Neill, Knead Slice Shop
Susan Ryder, freelance writer for TheBurg
Deb Schell, Harrisburg, freelance writer and photographer
Alice Anne Schwab, Susquehanna Art Museum
Angie & Trevor Spencer, Marathon Training Academy

TheBurg Podcast introduces you to some of the Harrisburg area’s most fascinating people, through their own authentic stories, expanded from every month’s magazine–because there’s always “more to the story.” TheBurg Podcast is released monthly on the second Friday of every month. It is hosted and produced by Karen Hendricks, a lifelong journalist who also dabbles in PR/Marketing. Visit her website here.

Support quality local journalism. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

50 Ways to Bide Your Time: Still stuck at home? We have a little Harrisburg-themed distraction.

January 29, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

About once a year, I take a break from my usual conceit of trying to think great thoughts about our fair city and attempt to do something a little different.

So, one year, I tongue-in-cheeked it through a list of Harrisburg “gotta knows” for city newcomers and, another year, I set out to lure overwrought Washingtonians to our smaller capital city.

February seems as good a time as any to distract myself—and you—with more foolishness. So, I’ve compiled a list of 50 “very Harrisburg” items, events and nuggets. This list is designed with residents in mind, though anyone who’s spent time in the city should be able to answer a bunch. Please know that this isn’t a serious competition—it’s just some silly fun.

Award yourself two points for each one accomplished/answered then visit our Facebook page and tell us how you did.

If nothing else, this little exercise may allow you to chew up a few minutes as we all sit around and wait our turn at the vaccine.

The List (each item is worth 2 points)

Harrisburg & You

1) You’re born and raised.
2) You attended school here.
3) You’ve taken a class at HACC (extra point for earning a degree).
4) You’re a happy transplant.

Official HBG

5) Identify the tropical storm that devastated Harrisburg in 1972.
6) Name a Harrisburg mayor not Reed, Thompson or Papenfuse.
7) Name more than one current member of City Council.
8) Correctly name the entity that conducts city street sweeping.
9) Name the entity that owns Harrisburg’s parking system.
10) You own an artifact that once belonged to Steve Reed.

Down on the Corner

11) You know how to properly pronounce “Muench” Street.
12) You’ve almost been hit crossing Forster or State streets.
13) You know the common name of the neighborhood that was destroyed to expand the Capitol complex (extra point for correctly naming the park that now dominates the area in back of the Capitol).
14) You’ve never complained on social media about parking.
15) You’ve been on a Harrisburg house tour (extra point for showing your house).
16) You’ve heard shots fired (another point if you later realized it was duck hunters).
17) What’s the nickname of the Walnut Street Bridge?

Chow Down

18) You’ve eaten at all three: Mangia Qui, Suba and Rubicon.
19) You’ve had pizza at Subway Café.
20) You’ve patronized the taco truck at 15th and Market streets.
21) You’ve brunched at Crawdaddy’s.
22) You’ve held the door open at the Broad Street Market for a long, long line of strangers.
23) You have memories of one of the following long-gone eateries: The Spot, Alsedek’s, Santanna’s or Harry’s Tavern.
24) You can name one previous restaurant in the building that now houses Note Bistro & Winebar (extra point for naming a prior occupant of Ted’s; and yet another point for naming a prior occupant of Los Tres Cubanos).
25) You dined in the street during 2020.

Parks & Rec

26) You’ve picnicked in Reservoir Park (another 2 points for sledding in Reservoir Park).
27) You’ve run an organized race along the Harrisburg riverfront.
28) You’ve walked, run or biked the entire 3.1-mile loop in Wildwood Park.
29) You’ve played Water Golf.
30) You’ve biked the entire Capital Area Greenbelt (extra point if it was during the Tour de Belt; extra two points if you can identify the section of the Greenbelt that features the MLK Jr. Memorial).
31) You’ve attended at least two summer festivals in Riverfront Park (extra point for naming two memorials or statues located in Riverfront Park; extra two points for naming the organization primarily responsible for the Peace Garden)

Harrisburg Critters

32) You’ve waded through a cloud of mayflies (extra point if this happened at a Harrisburg Senators game).
33) You’ve swallowed a gnat while running/biking on the river walk.
34) You’ve had it already with all the spider webs!
35) You’ve dodged geese in Riverfront Park or Italian Lake.
36) You’ve dodged goose droppings in Riverfront Park or Italian Lake.
37) You’ve had some type of mouse, groundhog or squirrel issue.
38) You’ve posted on social media about a stray cat (extra 2 points for adopting the cat; another 2 points for visiting the Friends of Midtown Community Dog Park).
39) You know about the Harrisburg beaver and its vital role in city history.

Hometown Tourist

40) You’ve toured the state Capitol as an adult (add 2 more points for also visiting the State Museum as an adult).
41) You’ve been inside the Harris Cameron Mansion (extra point for touring the Fort Hunter Mansion).
42) You’ve attended at least two PA Farm Shows (extra point for going to “Food Court” day; another point for going in a snowstorm).
43) You’ve explored Harrisburg Cemetery, for fun.
44) You’ve attended a 3rd in the Burg event (extra point for hosting one).
45) You have a favorite Harrisburg mural (extra point for naming the artist.)
46) You’ve been on a pontoon boat on the Susquehanna.
47) You’ve kayaked on the Susquehanna.
48) You’ve sailed on the Pride of the Susquehanna.
49) You have a regular spot where you pick up TheBurg magazine (extra point if you subscribe to TheBurg Daily and another point if you’ve listened to TheBurg Podcast; two extra points if your name has been in TheBurg).
50) You heart Harrisburg.

Extra Credit: Award yourself two more big points if you’re a “Friend of TheBurg!”

How’d you do? We’ll link to this column on Facebook on the day the print issue drops (Jan. 29), so you can share your feedback with us. Sorry—there are no prizes, but I hope this column offered you a brief mental vacation. Now, where’s my vaccine already?

Your Score

Fewer than 20 points: What’s a Harrisburg?

20-30 points: You run the lights on Forster Street to vamoose.

30-40 points: You might show up—if the parking’s free.

40-50 points: Currently scrolling Trulia, hoping to find “deal.”

50-60 points: Asking around for “reliable” contractor.

60-70 points: You know where to get the best food at Kipona.

70-80 points: You eagerly anticipate each new issue of TheBurg.

80-90 points: You should have your own stand in the Broad Street Market.

90-100+ points: You’re John Harris.

Most responses are personal or subjective, but some items have actual answers. These include:

5: Agnes
6: There are too many to name here, but, believe it or not, there’s an informative Wikipedia page that lists all of Harrisburg’s mayors since the city incorporated—check it out.
8: Capital Region Water
9: The city technically owns the system but leases it.
11: “Min-ick” Street
13: Old 8th Ward and, for extra point, Soldier’s Grove
17: Old Shaky
30: The MLK Jr. Memorial is located on the Greenbelt’s Cameron Parkway.
31: The local chapter of the Physicians for Social Responsibility spearheaded creation of the Peace Garden.

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher and editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Illustrations by Rich Hauck.

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Harrisburg area legislators discuss impacts of COVID, concerns

January 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Harrisburg Chamber’s Dave Black (left) emceed Tuesday’s virtual Legislators’ Forum.

Even with the pandemic, Harrisburg area state representatives were able to gather for an annual Legislators’ Forum, although this time appearing on screens instead of on stage.

Nine PA General Assembly members from Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties discussed topics like political civility, minimum wage and small business struggles and how COVID impacts all of them.

The forum was hosted by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC and hosted by President and CEO Dave Black.

Panelists included Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-88), Rep. Torren Ecker (R-193), Rep. Barb Gleim (R-199), Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-92), Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-86), Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-105), Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-106), Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and Rep. Greg Rothman (R-87).

Starting off with the topic on everyone’s minds, Keefer addressed the COVID vaccine rollout in Pennsylvania.

“We are behind other states,” Keefer said. “We can’t get them out fast enough. Some of the areas in our state do not have enough manpower to administer the shots.”

Lewis weighed in as well, saying distribution is not the only issue. According to Lewis, there’s not enough vaccine to go around. He did say there is a single-dose vaccine coming that will help increase the vaccination rate.

Bringing the year full circle, the panelists discussed the minimum wage, as they did at last year’s forum.

Last year, most representatives opposed raising the minimum wage. However, this year, Kim, the Harrisburg area’s sole Democrat in the House, was in attendance to explain her support for reform.

“We need to reset the button,” she said. “$7.25 is an irrelevant number because it hasn’t been raised for 11 years. So let’s raise the floor and bring in the stragglers.”

Kim said that her bill would raise the state’s hourly minimum wage by increments of 50 cents per year until it reached $15 an hour.

“If we are to do it, and I agree with Patty, $7.25 is way too low, but how we get there is where we need to concentrate,” said Mehaffie.

Delozier wasn’t convinced by Kim’s argument, pointing out potential issues with raising the minimum wage, including people possibly becoming ineligible for certain social services like childcare.

“Our businesses can’t afford it, our social services can’t catch up, and people might be worse off than they were,” she said. “There’s a lot of things we need to take into consideration.”

Representatives also took time to focus specifically on how Harrisburg has fared during the pandemic. Kim spoke to some of the concerns that she has, including returning students to classrooms safely, vaccination rates, small businesses and development efforts in the city.

Rothman also discussed the effect on restaurants in the city.

“I’m concerned about the city,” Rothman said. “A very small percentage of state government is actually physically coming into work, which affects our restaurants.”

Closing out the forum, representatives discussed civility during an unprecedented time of political division in the country.

“The approach we need to take, whether we are Republicans or Democrats, is to say, ‘I may not agree, but at least I’m going to respect the person […] and acknowledge they are coming from a place of trying to better their community,’” Lewis said.

To watch the 2021 Legislators’ Forum, click here.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 15, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

The West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland is getting closer to renovation.

Much of the news lately has been stressful and, honestly, just a downer. But not all of it has been bad here in the Burg. As you mentally prepare for whatever may or may not come to the city this weekend, catch up on our local news coverage listed and linked below.

The Art Association of Harrisburg debuted a new exhibit last week called “Observations & Experiences.” Our art blogger Bob MacGinnes previews the exhibit that is a commentary “on life and its celebration of,” as seen and experienced by a quartet of female artists.

Harrisburg-area home sales rose considerably last month, our reporting found. For December, home sales totaled 744 units compared to 611 units in December 2019 for the three-county region.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced he will require all city employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, our online story reported. He said that widespread infection would “cripple” the city’s abilities to serve the residents of Harrisburg.

Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC boards of directors announced their board chairs and officers for the coming year, our online story reported. Meron Yemane of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management will serve as board chair for the Chamber, while Mike Funck of Wohlsen Construction will serve as the chair of CREDC.

Harrisburg residents are bracing for possible protests, hunkering down and hoping for safety, our reporting found. The community has witnessed rallies in their neighborhoods for months, but what could be coming this weekend is especially concerning to them.

Harrisburg University sold $100 million in revenue bonds to finance the construction of its 11-story academic building in downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. HU President Eric Darr said this was a major step for the project.

Jane Elliot, a prominent race educator, will be a panelist at Sankofa African American Theatre Company’s virtual film festival, our reporting found. Executive Artistic Director Sharia Benn said that she hopes the festival will reach a diverse audience and teach people not only how biases are created, but how they can be changed.

Open Stage’s rendition of “Kafka’s Shorts” will take you on a bizarre, frightening ride, according to our theater writer. The play features six of Franz Kafka’s short stories, three of which you may miss if you blink, but all-powerful in the telling.

The PA National Guard plans to deploy troops to Harrisburg in preparation for possible violent protests leading up to the presidential inauguration, our online story reported. Local and state law enforcement said they will be ready for whatever comes their way, with aircrafts, drones and bomb technicians on standby.

Sara Bozich has a list of weekend activity recommendations, including a custom picnic experience and a private screening at Midtown Cinema. Check out the full list, here.

“Voices of the Pandemic” is a recently published anthology written by healthcare workers, educators, writers, entertainers and others, our magazine story reported. Lancaster-based author Don Helin, who edited the book, believes that this will serve as a way to look back on the emotions that accompanied the pandemic.

The West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland is getting closer to opening its doors once again, after being closed for six years, our reporting found. Nonprofit Friends of the West Shore Theatre announced large grants and donations that will fund the renovation project.

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