It was Halloween on Monday night. And Harrisburg didn’t take a back seat. There were a few events marking the night with the Literary Halloween Fete that took place from 8 to 10 at Midtown Scholar, located at 1302 N. Third Street. Attendees had to dress as their favorite literary characters for the costume contest that was judged by the staff at the bookstore. The contest had a number of categories that included: “puniest,” and most historically accurate. For music lovers the Matt Monticchio Trio provided the entertainment. And of course no Halloween event would be complete without trick or treating which was available too, along with themed food and drinks.
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Halloween in Harrisburg
Brown Wilson Goes Down
Even government officials are not immune from breaking the law. This was definitely the case with Susan Brown Wilson, a councilwoman from Harrisburg. She has been accused of not paying her court fines amounting to hundreds of dollars. Brown Wilson was thus confronted by Harrisburg state constable Shotzberger last week.
Councilwoman Dodges Taxes
According to the court documents that were recently brought to light, councilwoman Brown Wilson did not file earned income taxes for the years 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008. Part of these monies go directly to Harrisburg. While she did actually settle these a few months ago, the fines associated with late payment remain unpaid. Apparently she was on a payment plan, but details are not yet known. According to Capital Area Constables Association spokesman, William Stoeffler, as far as he knew, “one payment had been made, and no subsequent payments came after that.” While Brown Wilson was recently confronted by the Harrisburg state constable in person, this was not before other – less confrontational methods – had been attempted. She was contacted by mail and notice was also left at her residence.
It seems that Brown Wilson’s current debt to the city of Harrisburg totals $581.25.
Harrisburg Cancels Holiday Parade
Every year the city of Harrisburg enjoys a Holiday Parade. This year it was scheduled for November 19 but will not take place due to financial problems the city is incurring, which probably was not helped by its recent flood. In addition, while Harrisburg usually receives sponsors for its parade, this year no businesses came forward at all with an offer.
Big Harrisburg Debt
The truth of the matter is, Harrisburg has to face reality and its financial situation is not looking good. The city is up against huge amounts of debt right now – currently $310m in unpaid bonds for the incinerator as well as close to $300m of other debts etc. Thus to spend $30,000 now on a Parade would at best, be inappropriate, even though it’s been a Harrisburg tradition since 1986 and always ends up supporting the city’s local businesses.
What will happen in the future to Harrisburg and its entertainment remains to be seen. There is now talk of the possibility of canceling the fireworks the city usually enjoys on New Year’s Eve. By the end of the month they’ll know if they have the sponsors needed for this.
Clearly the city has to work hard to get out of debt. That must be a priority. But in the meantime, it has to realize that to make money, money has to be spent. And these entertainment activities are always good for local businesses so that must be brought into the calculation as well.
Rebuilding Harrisburg After Flood
It seems that out of the entire region, it was Harrisburg that suffered the most from the flood in more ways than just financial. Many of the city’s areas are facing difficult green issues, such as downed trees which don’t seem to be such a priority for the city that really has its plate full with everything else it has to deal with to try and adjust after the flood.
Thankfully however, help is at hand. A volunteer group will be engaging in a citywide tree restoration plan for the city! This work has been going on for some time already. Indeed, one of the volunteers – John First – began work on this back in June, on the task force. According to a recent news article this was important to First as he realized just how much the houses in the area needed their shade which has disappeared after what has happened to the trees.
Thus the group aims to plant new trees; take care of the ones that are damaged and build a citizen-friendly database which “will allow city planners and citizens alike to know where each tree is located in the city. To know how old it is, has it had any problems.”
Great Plan for Harrisburg
Clearly this volunteer program is showing that every cloud has a silver lining. True, it’s been terrible how Harrisburg and its residents have taken the toll following the flood. But this volunteer project is a great new start for the city, and it shows unity and a sense of community spirit, bringing together people who might otherwise not have been involved as they want to see their city recover and improve. As First notes, “the city’s broke and this is about citizens coming together and working together and that’s what this is all about it’s about bringing together all of the different neighborhoods together.” There’s a good chance he will be proved correct.
Foose School Meets Broadway
Harrisburg’s Foose School sang and danced the month of September away, entertaining their audience with scenes and music from 42nd Street, Girl Crazy and Pippin. More than 100 fifth and sixth grade students took part in Rosie’s Theater Kids – a NYC based art program for underprivileged kids, led by Rosie O’Donnell. Fifteen thousand dollars of the funds were donated by Shipley Energy. This enabled the group to come to Harrisburg.
It was indeed “thrilling” for O’Donnell “to be able to offer these kids at Foose Elementary this introduction to musical theater,” she said in an email. She loves the whole acting thing, in the same email claiming that Broadway and the arts, “changed [her] life and gave [her] hope.”
The kids at the school got so much from this program. Children who had never been privileged enough to take lessons but just enjoy dancing and singing at home, were, for the first time, able to actually get real lessons, from a professional instructor. One kid at the school, 10-year-old Saul Ramos, in a recent article in Penn Live was reported to have said, “it’s cool because everybody can see me.” Along with another student, Ramos got a special honor and was given $2,000 scholarship which will enable him to study at Rosie’s Theater Kids’ summer camp in New York for a week next August. He will meet O’Donnell, Broadway celebrities and a talent agent as well as getting professional headshots.
From Harrisburg’s Foose School to Broadway? Stranger things have happened. This really could be just a start for these underprivileged kids. Way to go Harrisburg.
Harrisburg to Raise Parking Rates?
That’s just what the city of Harrisburg needs right now after all it’s been through recently. First the whole city is flooded and now residents are going to be faced with additional fees whenever they go out and need to park their cars. But perhaps this won’t be met with such distaste since according to Harristown Enterprises VP, Brad Jones, “everyone understands that the city “needs money right now.” That may be the case, but there is not necessarily a consensus on how these monies should be raised.
Indeed, various local businessmen, such as McGrath Pub owner Tom Scott, are somewhat skeptical about the decision too. As it is the current prices are hardly cheap, with downtown areas charging $1.50 every hour, requiring around six quarters at a time, forcing car owners to keep coming out to put more money in, further disrupting their day and thus their business too. If prices increase, it would be almost double, to $2.50. As well, free parking after 5pm during the week and over the weekend will end.
This is definitely not a popular move with small business owners in the city who feel it will harm their businesses.
Harrisburg Bike Riders Cycle for a Cause
There will be many cyclists who will join together to try to raise money for a good cause. Bike riders will begin their trail from Harrisburg’s State Capitol and ride all the way to Gettysburg’s Battlefield Harley Davidson. The aim of the ride is to raise funds for the repair and maintenance of importance Gettysburg monuments. During the ride, food and entertainment will be provided to the cyclists as a way of saying thank you.
According to an article in Fox News, the ride is being organized by the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Towards Education (A.B.A.T.E.) along with State Representative Harry Readshaw and has so far raised $95,000 for the cause. All the money raised will be given to the Pennsylvania Monuments Endowment Fund.
Harrisburg Education Office Stays Put
Renovated Greystone Building Helps Harrisburg Employees
In an effort to keep Harrisburg employees working at the Regional Office of Education, in Harrisburg, the Greystone Building – situated in TIF – is undergoing a renovation. For this work, a funding cut of $56,000 is being given along with work-without-pay from Regional Superintendent Larry Fillingim. This is happening on the directive of the governor and will ultimately hopefully be able to reduce expenditure while keeping current staff on the payroll.
Harrisburg was offered space from another county. The city considered taking new accommodation for its regional staff to keep about 28 jobs in its area. However, Mayor Eric Gregg chose the Greystone building which Harrisburg took back a few years ago when a purchase agreement was in default.
Architectural engineering company Walker and Associates has been selected to develop plans and be in charge of supervising building renovations. The construction contract was handled by H.E. Mitchell Construction, and authorized by the council with expenditure caps.
Apple Picking in Harrisburg
It was that time of year again when Harrisburg residents got to go pick their apples close to home. And what great ones there seem to be in Harrisburg right now, arriving just in time for the city’s 13th annual Apple Fest. Last weekend there was so much more than just apple-picking fun. Engage in this fun family activity on a tractor wagon ride or horse-drawn hayride. And for those who have filled their baskets to the brim with apples, they were able to send their kids out to enjoy a pony ride, or a train ride especially tailored for little ones. For those with boundless energy, the inflatable playground no doubt exhausted them and the artistic kids were able to enjoy some face painting. The Apple Fest is truly so much more than an apple-picking fete; it’s fun for everyone.
So that was what was going on in the city Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th, located three miles south of Sioux Falls on Minnesota Avenue. If you missed it this year, be sure to check it out next year; it really is a fun thing to do.
Relax with Some Laughter at Harrisburg’s Comedy Central
September 14, 2011
Entertainment
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Following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Lee flooding, things do seem to finally be getting back to normal in the Harrisburg region. So it might be a good time to take in some comedy. Check out Comedy Central over the weekend as Tony Boswell, esteemed writer, stand up and actor, will be performing.
Boswell has an impressive resume. To date, he has performed at The Boston Comedy Festival and on Comedy Central, KSHB’s Kansas City Comedy Hour, the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, the New Orleans’ Comedy Festival, the Seattle International Comedy Competition, Night Shift, Comedy on the Road, and in two movies (The Babe, and Meet the Parents).
Boswell’s performance is rib-tickling, sarcastic, intelligent and, most importantly, enjoyable. He is popular and good-natured with his audience and it really is a not-to-be missed show for Harrisburg residents who need a laugh.
