Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine
Harrisburg residents unfurled this sign at last week’s City Council meeting.
Harrisburg City Council interrupted its summer recess to hold a special session this past week, and residents had a lot to tell their elected representatives. Other stories, features and arts rounded out an unusually active mid-August news week.
1000-block of N. 6th Street in Harrisburg has long been an eyesore with several dilapidated buildings. But suddenly the boards are coming off the buildings and restoration work has begun, which may yield dozens of new apartments. Read our feature story for the details.
Carlisle Arts Learning Center opened its latest exhibit last weekend, featuring a photographer and a potter, both from Cumberland County. Read the reaction from our arts columnist.
Circle School founder Jim Rietmulder is out with a new book, “When Kids Rule the School,” which discusses “democratic education.” Our feature story discusses his book and this unique approach to educating children.
Filmmaker Michael Kacey would like to finish up his documentary that tells a bleak story about American radio culture. To do so, he’s holding an upcoming fundraiser. Find out more about his project.
Harrisburg City Council passed ordinances last week that changed up the way the city disburses federal housing funds. Applicants will now have to respond to an RFP and attend a workshop. Click here for the details.
Harrisburg residents showed up in force to protest the proposed privatization of the city’s water and sewer system. Numerous residents told City Council not to sell the system and even made a sign to emphasize their point. Read about it here.
Mountain biking is no longer just for weekend warriors. With the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, high school students engage in league competition, with numerous teams in central PA. Read our feature story from this month’s magazine.
Ninja warriors live among us. Learn about a local gym that caters to athletes who train in this multi-faceted sport and competition—some even have TV ambitions.
“Over the Edge” returns this year for the daring who have Spiderman dreams and want to support a good cause. In the October event, you can rappel down the Market Square Plaza building and raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Read the details here.
Sara Bozich has more than 100 great ideas for things to do this weekend. There’s still time to squeeze in a few. Check out all the great events here.
Stop signs on N. 3rd Street are slated to come down next week, prompting some Harrisburg residents to protest their removal to Harrisburg City Council. As a result, council has scheduled a meeting for this Tuesday to further discuss the issue. Click here to read our story.
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“The Weekender” festival returns next week.
Was everyone on vacation this week, or did it just seem that way? Indeed, life seemed to slow down here in the dog days of summer, but the news scene was busy as always.
Aquaponics is one of the most exciting trends in agriculture, and a major facility is located right here in Harrisburg. Read how this technology is helping to reshape agriculture, while educating public school students.
Cameron Street Boxing Club houses the hopes and dreams of many of Harrisburg’s best boxers. Read our feature story about the coach, the fighters and the facility.
Capital Rebirth is dedicated to helping Harrisburg youth, scheduling two events over the next two months to further its cause. The first, a talent festival slated for Reservoir Park, is coming up soon. Get all the details here.
Dynasty Harrisburg is far more than just a cheerleading and dance gym. It’s a place where Harrisburg’s young people can gather, receive support and learn life-affirming skills. Click here to read our feature story.
Harrisburg is experiencing a rebirth of business and culture, and much of the credit goes to ordinary people who have dug deep financially to support the progress of the city, says our editor in his monthly “City View” column.
Marshall Math Science Academy hosted a STEAM camp this summer, focused on the important role of historically black colleges and universities (HCBUs). Read our feature story from the August issue.
Mount Gretna Art Show turns 45 this month and is bigger and more significant than ever. Find out how a small, quaint village fostered the growth of one of central PA’s cultural gems.
Sara Bozich has more than 100 ideas for fun things to do this weekend. So, you’d best make some room in your calendar to fit it all in. Find out what’s happening in and around town.
Vocational education is gaining renewed attention as students seek a lower-cost way to prepare for good jobs in industries that need skilled workers. Read our feature story from the August magazine.
Weekender Festival returns next week with four days of music, entertainment and education. Find out all the details about this annual event sponsored by the Harrisburg Housing Authority.
Wine is not only for drinking but now also is for speculation and investment, as PA Fine Wine and Good Spirits is allowing the purchase of select “wine futures.” Our wine columnist chimes in on this trend.
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I’m starting my weekend off with a 100-min massage in the name of #selfcare.
From there, a trip to the Market (and pick up my new Friends of the Market tote!). Andy doesn’t know it yet, but I’m definitely making lamb chops this weekend with a cucumber sauce and other fresh veggies.
On Sunday, we’re getting together with friends for an afternoon que — otherwise just soaking in the last warm and sunny days of the season!
A trio of newly built houses on Swatara Street.
The past week has been packed with breaking news and feature stories. If you missed any, you’ve come to the right place.
Art Association of Harrisburg opened its latest exhibit, “Energized,” last weekend. Find our what TheBurg’s art columnist had to say about this eclectic assembly of artists.
Broad Street Market was named a “Great Public Space” by the PA chapter of the American Planning Association. Harrisburg’s historic market was only one of three places statewide to receive the honor. Click here for the story.
GreenWorks Development is the recipient of a $2 million state redevelopment grant, which will go towards a major proposed apartment and commercial project in Midtown Harrisburg. The National Civil War Museum and Tri-County Housing Development Corp. also received grants. Find out the details here.
Guglielmo Botter, an Italian-American artist, has returned to central PA to exhibit his illustrations of local landmarks. This time, he’s focused on Lancaster, with a show at the Visitor’s Center.
Habitat for Humanity and Tri-County HDC unveiled three new houses on Swatara Street that resulted from a “building blitz” last summer. The affordable houses are now on the market for sale. Read all the details here.
Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC) unveiled the details of its next phase of construction, which will add a dance club and other amenities to the mixed-used venue. H*MAC also plans to change up and rebrand its restaurant. Click here for all the details.
Harrisburg’s music scene is hot for the summertime. Read the recommendations for this month from TheBurg’s music columnist.
Jelani Splawn is young photographer with a lens focused on the urban environment. Find out what he’s eyeing in our feature story.
Nikolaos Hatziefstathiou has been arrested in Delaware County on multiple charges due to alleged “fake news” schemes, according to the county district attorney. Hatziefstathiou is a key defendant in a defamation suit filed by the previous owners of the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center. Click here for the story.
R.O. Kwon drops into Harrisburg this weekend for a reading and some conversation at Midtown Scholar Bookstore. Learn about this acclaimed writer and her debut novel, “The Incendiaries.”
Sara Bozich has all your leads for a fun summer weekend. Find out what’s going on around town.
Susquehanna Art Museum will help turn a Subaru into a Picasso this weekend, with a public painting event. A Midtown Harrisburg couple generously donated the car/canvas. Read the painterly details.
TheBurg dropped our August issue, which is focused on youth and education in our area. If you ever had doubts about the next generation, you’ll want to pick up a copy or read a few stories online.
Urban Snob has rebooted, so to speak, reopening its boutique with a new look and business model. Read what the Midtown shop has in store.
Vintage Vault held the grand opening of its newest store in downtown New Cumberland. This shop is focused on mid-century pieces for all your “Mad Men” décor needs. Check out the offerings here.
Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here!
Recycle Bicycle’s current home in the Atlas Street warehouse.
It may be mid-summer in the Harrisburg area, but the flow of news continues to be brisk. It’s time to catch up on any of our stories that you may have missed from the past week.
Bethesda Mission will host a vegan meal next month, thanks to Animal Advocates of Central PA. It will be the second time this year that the York-based group will prepare a meal for mission residents. Click here for the details.
Harris Tower Railway Museum may be one of Harrisburg’s best-kept secrets, a pocket-sized tribute to the city’s rail history. Learn about the museum and the men who toiled to preserve the fully restored switch tower.
Harrisburg is weighing selling its water and sewer system, issuing a request for information from interested parties. This move came as a surprise to Capital Region Water, the current system operator. Click here for the story and for CRW’s response.
Harrisburg Opera Association is planning two events next month: a concert in Italian Lake Park and mainstage production at Messiah College. Click here for all the high notes.
Harrisburg Police Bureau is hosting a citywide National Night Out event next month. The celebration, supported by several community organizations, will take place at Camp Curtin Academy. Click here for the details.
Harrisburg University broke ground this week on its new, 17-story academic tower, hotel and restaurant complex at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets in downtown Harrisburg. The building is expected to take two years to complete. Read the details here.
Pablo Picasso is in town—or at least his prints are. The Susquehanna Art Museum has on loan a collection of Picasso prints from a New York gallery, and you can see them for yourself for the next two months. Find out what our art columnist thinks.
Recycle Bicycle needs to find a place for its operations, as its current Atlas Street warehouse location has sold. The nonprofit has been saving money and hopes to purchase a permanent home. Read the story here.
Sara Bozich has her usual long list of fun things to do around the Harrisburg area this weekend, with a focus on outdoor festivals. Learn about all the happenings here.
Shalom House has begun a construction project that will convert the former Unitarian Church of Harrisburg into a community center. Capital Area Head Start also will take space in the Market Street building on Allison Hill. Click here for our story.
VeggieFest returns next month to Strawberry Square, featuring vegetarian and vegan cuisine and lifestyles. Find out all the information here.
Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here!
A tray of samples from last year’s VeggieFest.
Strawberry Square may be named after a fruit, but it surely won’t be left out at this year’s VeggieFest, which showcases plant-based cuisine.
For the third year in a row, event coordinator Sara Bozich, in conjunction with Strawberry Square, will welcome local vendors to downtown Harrisburg next month to share their take on vegetarian and vegan lifestyles and diets.
“It is intended to be a very inclusive event that is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly,” Bozich explained.
While not exclusively a vegan event, vendors will distinguish whether their products are vegetarian or vegan.
Vendors will include restaurants like Arooga’s Sports Bar & Grillhouse, giving a taste of its meatless menu, and Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar with its vegan menu options. There will also be plenty of beverages to sample from breweries such as Crook & Marker Spiked & Sparkling, HOLLA Spirits, Ploughman Cider and Tröegs Independent Brewing.
“We are really about showcasing the offerings our area has,” Bozich said.
Vendors will offer samples, and items will be available for purchase. Bozich pointed out that VeggieFest isn’t only for the herbivores, but those who are “veg curious” are welcome as well.
Plant-based skincare retailers and health practitioners will be in attendance along with treats from Cocoa Creek Chocolates, Boom! Crafted Pickles and Sarah’s Sweet & Savory Snacks, among others.
“A lot of times, people stay away from vegan or gluten-free products because they think the flavor experience won’t be the same, but it is,” said Diane Krulac, founder of Mechanicsburg-based Cocoa Creek Chocolates.
At this year’s VeggieFest, these chocolatiers will hand out samples from their all-natural “Luther’s Trek Bars.” The bars are made with vegan dark chocolate and sprinkled with various fruit and nut combinations.
They will also share products from their upcoming veggie collection, which is all plant-based and vegan. The dark chocolate truffles are made with cashew cream, oat milk or almond milk, and some include raspberry, beet, cinnamon or orange flavors.
“You don’t have to be vegan to want to eat them,” Krulac said. “Flavor won’t be compromised.”
The crowd from last year’s event.
A faux burger challenge, sponsored by the Hilton Harrisburg, will give attendees a chance for local grills to serve up their best meatless burger to a panel of judges, letting the audience have a bite, as well.
While perusing the vendors, attendees will hear from His and Hers Vinyl, a duo of DJs.
Tickets are required for VeggieFest and are $20 for an adult, $10 for an adult or minor not including alcohol, and free for children under 12.
Proceeds this year will benefit the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. According to Bozich, the partnership is a perfect fit.
“Our event is about food, and clearly we want to help feed people in the area,” she said.
Harrisburg VeggieFest takes place on Saturday, Aug. 17, 1 to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.hbgveggiefest.com.