Mt. Pleasant Project Invigorates South Allison Hill
South Allison Hill’s new Mt. Pleasant Plaza project is anticipated to create over a dozen new city-based jobs and new retail life along a highly traveled commuter route. Mayor Reed says the project doesn’t stand alone in efforts to revitalize the city. Rehabilitated residential housing units, new streetlights and sidewalks and neighborhood cleanup and beautification efforts have all contributed to the bigger picture. This project is a union between co-owners and developers Mr. and Mrs. In Suk Pak and the Community Action Commission (CAC), the City of Harrisburg, the state Dept. of Community and Economic Development’s ‘Legacy Lasting’ program and Allfirst Bank. The plaza will include a grocery store, Laundromat, mail services store, florist, coffeeshop, ice cream parlor, and an income tax preparation agency being sought for future occupancy. Construction began July 15^th, on S. 13th and Derry Streets, as Mayor Reed said it "means new life for South Allison Hill." He went on to say, "It is vitally important for a neighborhood to have an array of community-based retailers, allowing for convenient shopping access by residents and providing economic investment in their own neighborhood, rather than having those hard-earned dollars go to a business miles away. No longer will South Allison Hill residents have to travel long distances to obtain many of these retail services." The budget for this new "mini-mall" is $2,014,000 which includes $1,333,000 in private financing secured by the Paks from Allfirst Bank, $431,000 in state ‘Legacy Lasting’ funds and more than $250,000 in funding from the City of Harrisburg. Thomas Bell, Senior Vice President for Community and Economic Development for Allfirst Bank, commented that, "We are delighted to support the Paks in this vital enterprise, and look forward to it spurring even more private investment in South Allison Hill."

Three Local Insurance Firms Merge
Gunn-Mowery Insurance Group Inc., Dodge Insurance Inc., and New Cumberland Insurance recently completed merging their three firms. This merger creates one of the largest insurance agencies located in central PA. The new firms will have offices in Lemoyne, Harrisburg, New Cumberland, and Hanover, and will continue operating under their existing names in each of the four locations.

New V.I.C. Opens
The Official Grand Opening of the new Visitor’s Information Center was held on Monday, July 15, 2002. The V.I.C. is located at the corners of 2nd and Walnut Streets in downtown Harrisburg. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. An extensive list of new amenities will be provided at the V.I.C., including a full-time concierge, a flat screen computer with high-speed internet access in order to allow visitors to access their email and look up other pertinent information about Central PA, a kiosk with brochures about the city, county, and state featuring its assets, a coffee café, and a 32-inch flat screen TV that will face 2nd Street updating passersby on the local and national new, sports and weather.

Recycle Center Opens
Dauphin County Commissioners recently cut the ribbon of a new recycling drop-off center located at the Conewago Township Municipal Building on 3279 Old Hershey Road. Commissioners John Payne, Lowman Henry and Anthony Petrucci attended the opening ceremony and made brief remarks on recycling and its importance. This new site is one of six that are now set up in the county, collecting aluminum and bi-metal food and beverage cans, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, newspapers, and plastic food and beverage containers.

More Recycling News…
More than 53 tons of old computer equipment has successfully been turned away from landfills and put into recycling and reuse efforts, thanks to Dauphin County. "Our county-sponsored computer recycling drives have saved valuable landfill space and precious natural resources," said Commissioner John Payne. At a recycling drive for computers earlier this year, almost 107,000 pounds of monitors, central processing units, and peripherals were collected. The previous year only four tons were collected. Electronic equipment such as computers can contain lead, mercury and cadmium — materials that take thousands of years to disintegrate in landfills.

The Sweetest Picnic on Earth
A new dining option is available for guests of Hersheypark. "Picnic in the Park" will run through August 23, Wednesday through Friday nights from 6-8 pm. This unique meal option is designed especially for children, featuring the Hershey’s Product Characters, a live animal encounter, children’s entertainment, and some other surprises. A special finale to cap off the evening is provided by "The Sweetest Parade on Earth," with 12 of the Hershey’s Product Characters and a live marching band (weather dependent). Prices are $19.95 (13 and older), $14.95 (9-12), $9.95 (3-8), and 2 and younger (free). All guests need to purchase an admission ticket to Hersheypark in addition to the package price. Reservations are required due to limited seating. For reservations call 534-3900. Visit HersheyPA.com for additional information.

Swim to Save-a-Life
Grab your swimsuits and head to your local pool to help save lives, by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Save-A-Life Swim, during July. The event is open to swimmers of all ages and helps raise funds for cancer research, patient services, and education. The goal for this year is to raise $50,000.

Art Invasion!
The unveiling of a new mural on City Island took place on July 3, launching a major new public art initiative. The magnificent mural, created by national artist Wayne Fettro, is located on the eastern retaining wall of City Island, overlooking the waterfront and downtown. The historically themed artwork is just one of as many as 50 murals that will be appearing on buildings, walls, and in public areas citywide over the next five years.

More Murals: Artistas del Verano
Eight high-school aged students from Central PA are participating in the Artistas del Verano (Artists of Summer) mural project running through August 2. The students, who are children of migrant workers, will take four weeks out of their summer to spend at the museum, painting a series of three murals, with help from resident artist Miguel Cifuentes. The mural themes relate to the culture/countries of the students, and their experience in Pennsylvania. Cifuentes will guide the students in their creation of six 4’ x 6’ murals. These year’s "artistas" are students of Vietnamese and Latino heritages. The State Museum encourages visitors to witness the painting of the murals, on the first floor near the Curiosity Corner.

Help Raise American Spirits
The Harrisburg East Mall wants you to join them in celebrating the patriotic holidays this summer with "American Spirit." "American Spirit" is a promotional campaign that was developed to celebrate the rising patriotism that was reborn after 9/11. The event honors all patriotic holidays until September, such as Flag Day and Labor Day. Shoppers of the Harrisburg East Mall receive free Stars & Stripes beach balls, Frisbees, and mini-American flags during the patriotic holidays. During the month of August, "American Spirit" Frisbees will be available at the customer service desk.

Blue Plate Buns of Steel
On July 17, Steelton Mayor George Hartwick, III helped cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Steel Plate Restaurant, located at 183 South Front Street in Steelton. The establishment takes the place of an old Steelton landmark, the Steelworkers Bar. The new restaurant hopes to attract diners from the greater Harrisburg area, as well as local neighborhood clientele. In a press release, Mayor Hartwick said, "Since the Steel Plate opened its doors they have been the talk of the town, and the renovation done to the establishment has converted it into an upscale establishment for families and friends to gather and enjoy a nice meal, and a great hometown atmosphere."

Owners Laila Schu and Leonard Grimm are hoping to draw a loyal customer base, and appeal to the same local dining crowd that now frequents downtown Harrisburg. "We want to be known as the place to come to when you’re in Steelton, where you can sit down, have a great meal, good times, and enjoy the company of great people," said Schu in the press release for the Steel Plate Restaurant’s grand opening.

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