Screenwriter Carl Kurlander inspired a large Capitol Theatre audience in kicking off the recent "Building York" summit.
His autobiographical "My Tale of Two Cities" film told a captivating story about how he gave up a screenwriting career in Los Angeles to return to his hometown of Pittsburgh.
There, he has turned into a civic booster.
And his post-film comments gave further insight about how York countians can invest in their community with human capital as well as with federal currency.
The now-University of Pittsburgh instructor left behind many lessons, including the point that his western Pennsylvania community used the 250th anniversary of the naming of Pittsburgh as a peg to improve perception of that city.
He suggested York find a similar moment to target and then work toward.
More about that at the end.
Here are some memorable lessons Mr. Kurlander - we suspect he'd insist on Carl - imparted (with our comments):
· Pittsburgh doesn't always appreciate itself.
That's a mantra among York's leaders, as well, and true of any town.
Well, the time spent fretting about this should be turned into making a better product to attract people. The city produced such an asset in the York Revolution baseball team.
Build it and they will come.
· Use celebrities to tout your town.
Retired Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris was there on "My Tale," speaking to the city's attributes, as was his businessman-son.
York can boast of celebrities who could be asked to do the same - artist Jeff Koons, Green Bay Packer John Kuhn, NFL Hall of Fame candidate Chris Doleman, actor Craig Sheffer, composer Dominick Argento, playwright Ken Ludwig, bluegrass musician Del McCoury, among many others.
· Seek out opportunities from the Pennsylvania Film Office.
Pittsburgh has been intentional and aggressive in selling itself as a film location. Mr. Kurlander pointed out the lower cost of Pennsylvania sites and the proximity to media giant Comcast, based in Philadelphia.
· Do not get rid of your heritage and bulldoze historically significant buildings.
York has grown up in this respect, and now must market its varied, historic architecture as a sight to see.
People would come to the city to enjoy its streetscapes filled with what one historian has called a smorgasbord of architectural styles.
"You have so much history to build upon," Mr. Kurlander said.
· Do not shrink from comparisons with other cities.
"My Tale of Two Cities" implies comparison, and much can be learned from the experiences of other towns - yes, even from Lancaster, as found elsewhere in today's newspaper.
Back to Pittsburgh's ability to seize the day by building on its 250th anniversary.
Well, the City of York, founded in 1741, will celebrate the 275th anniversary of its founding in 2016.
That's five years from now.
And in the mold of Pittsburgh, it represents an anniversary that York can plan for, a milepost to measure itself by.
For example, York had 134 retailers in 2007.
How about 275 by its 275th?
Too modest?
Their loss, our gain?
The showing of Carl Kurlander's "My Tale of Two Cities" produced several telling moments.
For one thing, the Capitol Theatre was filled with young professionals, interested in making their city better. There have been times when such an evening would have attracted mainly folks with gray hair.
And more than a couple of the young people stood up to identify themselves as part of the Steeler Nation. That means, in part, that they came from Pittsburgh to work here. Pittsburgh is known for producing pockets of Steeler fans - former Pittsburghers who have moved away - around the world.
It's interesting how York also seems to be the center of the universe, its people achieving in all parts of the world.
One of those former Pittsburghers helped Carl Kurlander on his "My Tale" project as an intern and was recognized by her former boss.
Carrie Hamilton was a Carnegie Mellon University art student at the time.
She went on to ply her craft at Disney and now works as a graphic artist for the York Daily Record/Sunday News.
Pittsburgh's loss is York County's gain.
And York has been making a lot of gains recently.
On the blogs
· 275th anniversary celebration of York, Pa.'s founding isn't sexy number but could be effective
