Lehigh Valley Source

Lehigh Valley News: Battle Lines Drawn

Political battle lines are drawn in a race for the 15th congressional district in the Lehigh Valley. From political maneuverings to high tech digital mapping, our Lehigh Valley news roundup samples the ins and outs of life in the Valley. Be sure to learn more as the race for the 15th congressional district heats up, volunteers work to create a Wiki Map of the Valley and the region enjoys its first annual bluegrass festival. Read on.

Politics

Clinton to make appearance for Bethlehem mayor. The former President will be in the Valley next month stumping for John Callahan's bid to unseat Charlie Dent in the 15th congressional district. LehighValleyLive.com

Stopover
Originally uploaded by Nicholas_T

Meanwhile, is there a Callahan "cover-up?" Blogger Bernie O'Hare continues to dig into a three year old case in which he says the mayor's brother-in-law received preferential treatment after an accident in which a police officer was injured. Lehigh Valley Ramblings

And will Charlie Dent "chicken out" of a debate? Over anti-Semitism? Yep, that's right. More specifically over the choice of music at an independent candidate's political event. Lehigh Valley Independent

Tech

Second day concludes Valley "mapping party." Meetings aim to make local landmarks part of the digital landscape too in the Bethlehem area and beyond. OpenStreetMap.org

Arts & Entertainment

Photos from the first ever Lehigh Valley Bluegrass Festival. Grass Stained Genes were among artists appearing at the festival Friday, Saturday and today in Schnecksville, PA. Pocono Bluegrass and Folk Society

The Emmys may be filled with "Glee", but Tom Coombe's not. We're a bit late on this one, but here are our resident Lehigh Valley critic's basic thoughts on the big awards and who they may be going to. Tom On TV

Food

Black bean bonanza. Anne Coleman claims not to know much about growing these dark colored little vegetables. Fortunately, what she does know will fill this column. Cooking With Anne

Lehigh Valley cocktails anyone? Cooking makes you hot. If you don't have a swimming pool...or even if you do...here's one way Lehigh Valleyites can cool it on a summer evening after a beautiful cookout. Feaston

Sports

Pigs best Tides, 6-4 The Iron Pigs defeated their rivals, the Norfolk Tides, Saturday at Coca-Cola Park. Check out details of the game at the link above. Iron Pigs Baseball

The Eagles arrive in the Valley tomorrow. The Philadelphia Eagles will arrive for summer training at Lehigh University's Goodman Campus starting Monday and running through Aug. 17, so fans take note. Lehigh University

 

Lehigh Valley News: Getting Better All The Time?

There are pluses and minuses to living in the Lehigh Valley...like everywhere else. But there have been at least some positive things to report in recent weeks. Among them are the arrival of yet another alternative energy project (sponsored by a large local industry no less), improving real estate market and Lehigh University's consistently high educational standing. Alas, as one visitor from New York City reports on her blog, it can still be difficult to find a great place to eat on a Sunday afternoon. Check out the news and leave your comments. And visit again for more local news updates.

Local

12 acre solar farm coming to Lehigh Valley. Air Products announces the new installation planned for its Allentown corporate headquarters. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by spring 2011. Metro Green Business

Ascending Knowledge
Originally uploaded by Greg Palmer

Lehigh Valley home sales up last month. Is the local housing market finally rebounding? And what's in store for the future in terms of the local economy? LehighValleyLive.com

Lehigh University ranks in top twelve for ROI. If a degree from the valley's Lehigh University were an investment, it would be worth $1.3 million over 30 years, a new study says. Lehigh University News Center

Arts & Entertainment

Rocky Horror audition call. Drag queens from outer space are needed in all shapes and sizes for auditions July 19 and 20. It's a "Science fiction (ooh, ooh, ooh) double feature." So come one, come all. Civic Little Theatre of Allentown

Business

Looking for a Lehigh Valley business loan? A new program brings lending institutions and other local business organizations together to have a second look at some previously rejected small business applications. gaebler.com

Local companies look at delivering online marketing services. This Emmaus marketing company looks at delivering marketing services blending Web design, PR, e-mail and direct mail advertising, social media and much more. examiner.com

Energy

Want to make your Allentown home or small business more energy efficient? Residents, small business owners, local non-profits etc. can get more details about financing available through the Allentown Energy Conservation Program.  Allentown Good News

Why energy deregulation may not be all it's cracked up to be. Jon Geeting shares a post about the deregulation "swindle" from the point of view held by folks who are clearly unimpressed. Lehigh Valley Independent

Sports

Valley football fans! A "yet-to-be-named" indoor franchise is set for return to Stabler Arena next spring, reports columnist Keith Groller. Speculations welcome! mcall.com

Travel

A look at the Lehigh Valley from the outside in. Involved in the tourism industry here in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley? Then check out this review (in three parts) of a NYC blogger's visit to the valley, including the rustic Glasbern Inn. Her one big objection? No good place to eat on a Sunday afternoon. Be Happy NYC

Lehigh Valley News: Earthquake and iPhone Cause Valley Stir

MarkM via Twitpic

Such unlikely events as an earthquake in Canada and the arrival of the latest Apple marvel stirred up the Valley recently as a local TV station reports on a distant tremor and the shakeup it caused here and a long, long line develops for the latest tech candy from Steve Jobs and company.

Local

Valley Apple fanatics line up for iPhone. The crowd was captured by someone standing in line in the sweltering heat and reported on by local media. mcall.com

Ottawa earthquake felt in the Valley? A local television station is reporting the tremor from a 5.0 magnitude quake near Canada's capital was felt here. (You be the judge.) WFMZ

What do young people want? Jon Geeting speaks at length with Andy Po of Homebase Skateshop in Bethlehem about the good, the bad and the ugly in the Lehigh Valley and what it will take to make young people stay. Lehigh Valley Independent

Wine war heats up in Warren. Will a plan to permit direct mailing of wine to customers in New Jersey help or hurt the burgeoning wine industry there? LehighValleyLive.com

Business

Green jobs heading for Lehigh Valley? A New Jersey-based leader in the design and installation of solar electric power systems announces plans to open an office in Bethlehem to serve growing Pennsylvania demand. PR Newswire

Arts & Leisure

Art-in-the-Park. A recent Saturday arts festival in Allentown's West Park was followed by a well-known local pottery exhibit now in its 23rd year. Read more from Discover Lehigh Valley, a local tourism promotion agency. Tips from the T-List

Food

Strawberry Fields Forever(Not). We follow the last of the succulent berries from the Easton Farmer's Market to a final destination as ingredients in everything from stawberry salad to popsicles to margaritas as their season wanes. Feaston

The big cheese. Lehigh Valley culinary blogger Ann Coleman recently discovered her great grandfather was a cheese maker and marked the occasion with this post. Cooking With Anne

Sports

Pius X senior hopes for blaze of glory. Quarterback Anthony Casciano looks forward to a final challenge in an all-star classic match before leaving high school football behind. LehighValleyLive.com

Dobbs coming to Lehigh Valley. Phillies infielder and pinch hitter Greg Dobbs is on his way here to play with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley team (Iron Pigs). A report says he's cleared waivers and should be in LV by Friday. The Zo Zone

Lehigh Valley News: County Dems Elect Leadership

2008-03-01 Easton 008
Originally uploaded by Allie_Caulfield

Lehigh County Dems meet tonight to organize and at least one blogger voices dissatisfaction with the status quo. Also read musings on recently spared Bicentennial Field in Allentown and other important news from around the Lehigh Valley in this Lehigh Valley News roundup from Lehigh Valley Source.

Local

Dems vote tonight. And Chris Casey tells us who will get his support...and who will not. But one reader takes him to task. Lehigh Valley Political Blog

Lanta announces Bicentennial Field will be spared. And 13 months later, Michael Molovinsky revisits his politically incorrect lament of the mentality he says was at the heart of it all. Molovinsky on Allentown

Lehigh Valley foreclosure crisis looms. Check out the pdf report claiming that between now and the end of 2012 more than 172,000 additional foreclosures are anticipated locally. Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley

Arts & Leisure

Easton's Lafayette Inn has gone through many changes. But the latest metamorphosis has created a unique hideaway in this secluded and beautiful nook of the Lehigh Valley. Valley View

In case you missed it. Highlights from the Freddy's 2010 at the State Theatre celebrating outstanding achievements in local high school musical theatre. To be sure, it was history in the making. WFMZ

Education

2010 Home-school Rally. From earlier this month, here are excerpts from a graduation and rally at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church. For those who continue to classify the home-school movement as fringe check out an interview with Venture Capital investor Fred Wilson (It's near the end!) about how the web may empower this movement and disrupt mainstream education. Purposed Coaching

Outdoors

Lehigh Valley Fun Fly. A visitor to the recent event captured this footage with takeoff and a few seconds' flight of this Gee Bee model Y Sportster. Watch! YouTube

Local fishermen swallow the lure of local season hook, line and sinker. Valley sportsmen (and women) take the bait and head for area rivers and streams. Lehigh Valley InSight

Sports

Oakland A's pick Notre Dame senior. Tyler Vail, who has distinguished himself as a pitcher, hitter and a second base man for the crusaders, was picked up in the latest draft round. See the link to original draft footage from the MLB. Varsity Blog.

Lehigh women's volleyball welcomes six new recruits. Coach Jenny Maurer announces new athletes, members of the Class of 2014. LehighSports.com

Lehigh Valley News: Allentown mayor under fire

Center City Allentown, PA
Originally uploaded by twg1942

Allentown's mayor Ed Pawlowski is under assault for both his management style and for seeking a controversial post. More details on today's Lehigh Valley Source news roundup:

Local

Should his honor really have sought this post? Allentown council VP Michael Donovan first raised issue with the mayor seeking a second elected position in apparent defiance of the city charter. Inclusion

And yet another attack. Donovan vents frustration over the mayor's management style and failure to attend council meetings as covered and linked to with additional comments from another of Pawlowski's critics. Lehigh Valley Ramblings

The mayor's response. Here it is in full and then later reprinted in Donovan's blog with some additional comments. Alas,  in neither case here did Pawlowsky answer complaints about his additional elected office. Valley 610

Business

Have you tuned in to "Tech Wednesday?" Presented regularly on the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce blog, a new weekly post brings news of tech developments to all chamber members and the world. This week's topic, Poll Everywhere. Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber blog

Government pumping up job numbers? Hear the story of this census worker who claims the government is using census hires to artificially inflate job growth for political purposes. Anyone know if this is happening here in the Lehigh Valley? Real Clear Politics

Arts & Entertainment

Allentown Art Museum to hold ground breaking. The event celebrating an expansion and modernization project will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the art museum's sculpture garden, 31 North Fifth Street, Allentown. AllentownArtMuseum.org

Splice lacks DNA of great thriller. This sci-fi flick may be created out of the same genetic material as old sci-fi horror classics, but reviewer Tom Coombe says the result is an unsatisfying mutation. Tom on TV

Lehigh Valley News: To Blog Or Not To Blog

2007-10-21 11-08 Allentown 010
Originally uploaded by Allie_Caulfield

An Allentown city councilman was exonerated today of a charge of ethics violations connected with his personal blog. But that didn't stop the local blogosophere from being electrified with reaction to the results.

News

Is blogging unethical? Title searcher, journalist and blogger Bernie O'Hare may have good reason to ask. O'Hare covered the Allentown Ethics Board hearing where the board cleared Allentown city council vice president Michael Donovan of a complaint concerning his blog. Lehigh Valley Ramblings

"A whitewash sham." That's how Bill Villa, who filed the complaint, chose to describe the decision on his own blog later in the day. Villa says Donovan used his blog to libel him and his family. Lehigh Valley Somebody

No reply at all. Meanwhile, Donovan's own blog, which started all the fuss, contained no mention of the hearing (except for a comment which wished him good luck) choosing instead to focus on an ongoing debate between Donovan and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawloski. Read the comments and related links for more on this. Inclusion

Politics

Campaign autopsy. The body of state Rep. Karen Beyer's political career is barely cold after its sudden death two weeks ago at the hands of a 23-year-old newcomer. But already some political junkies are beginning a post mortem for clues about what went wrong. The Lehigh Valley Political Blog

Wall Street reform or bust? Bethlehem mayor and 15th district candidate John Callahan calls upon voters to petition his opponent U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, urging him to embrace financial reform. Lehigh Valley Independent

Arts & Entertainment

Thank God Lost is no more. OK, complain about it if you want, but so long as that show ran it kept Lehigh Valley TV blogger Tom Coombe from writing about other cool shows the same night. Thankfully, this issue has now been rectified.Tom On TV

Food

The real dish on healthy eating. Lehigh Valley blogger Anne Coleman talks with author and business woman Mireille Guilliano about her new book The French Women Don't Get Fat Cookbook...and manages to snag a recipe to share. Cooking With Anne

Business

LV business leaders to be honored. Lehigh Valley Economic Development will sponsor an event at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown June 23. lehighvalley.org

Real Estate

Are there bats in your belfry? If you're considering buying a house in the near future here in the Lehigh Valley, realtor Joe Finnerty suggests some easy to miss problems in your prospective home's attic that are likely to creep you out! Lehigh Valley Estate Blog

Sports

Iron Pigs slaughter Mud Hens. No, this isn't some horrendous barnyard brawl, but the hometown team was victorious. Check out the details. Iron Pigs Baseball

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Lehigh Valley News: Lehigh Valley Safer?

Moravian Star, Bethlehem, PA
Originally uploaded by Lehigh Valley Source

Local

A-town crime on the decline Numbers show the Queen City is now a slightly safer place. 69 News

Easton man faces six years in shooting. Shooter says he hopes his victim can forgive him. LehighValleyLive.com

Dog thrown from a roof? A pit bull named Wally is recovering after his ordeal and the attack is under investigation in Allentown. Channel 6 Action News

Opinion

The Sestak SNAFU. One Lehigh Valley Democrat reacts to the cloud of uncertainty around a White House job offer that may still have campaign ramifications. The Lehigh Valley Political Blog

Arts & Entertainment

Allentown Art Museum goes green (house). Bethlehem native Elena Douvanis visited for the first time (in a long time) and found her hometown art museum...delightful. laini's little pocket guide

Lehigh Valley drive-ins open for business. Of the 35 drive-ins remaining in Pennsylvania, two (including the nation's first) are here. Lehigh Valley InSite

Around Town

Ladies night out. Here are some photos from a recent Southern Lehigh Education Foundation outing. Lehigh Valley Style

Kids on the run. See local youngsters participating in the 2010 St. Luke's Lehigh Valley Half Marathon and PC 5K kids run Photos By John

Food

Asparagus the cream of the crop. A sonnet to a summer vegetable favorite...with some dairy and mushrooms. Feaston

Sports

The Liberty Hurricanes clinch second Memorial Day win. For the second year in a row, the local team brings home victory from the 11th Annual ECTB Memorial Day Invitational. Lehigh Valley Ramblings

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Honoring Major Nathan Kline At The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum: A Photo Essay

By DIANA MORSE
Of Lehigh Valley Source

Retired Air Force Maj. Nathan Kline, 85, of Lower Macungie Township  (center) was feted Monday, Dec. 7 at a gathering held at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum in Allentown.  The gathering, taking place on the 68th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, included distinguished guests including Pierre Vimont, French Ambassador to the United States (right) and Michel Schaffhauser, consul general of France.  Allentown City Counselor Peter Schweyer (left) congratulates Kline, who was honored for his years of distinguished service, including 65 missions as a bombardier during World War II.  "God only knows where we would be today, or even if there would be a United States of America if we had lost that war," said Kline, who volunteered for military service at age 19.  "God bless America, and God bless the Republic of France."  Kline's plane was shot down twice in the last weeks of December, during the Battle of the Bulge.  The second time, Kline, unwilling to bail, rode the plane to the ground. 

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham (left) congratulates Maj. Nathan Kline.  Earlier this year, Kline was honored at a ceremony in Paris with the presentation of the Legion of Honor, France's highest recognition, during ceremonies for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day.  "The red in that medal looks good on your blue suit," Vimont remarked,  "it fits you well."

Kathy Miller, a friend of Kline's, reacts to
remarks by her long time acquaintance.
Currently, both of Miller's sons are
stationed in Iraq.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, accompanied by
wife Lisa Pawlowski, greets French Ambassador
Pierre Vimont. "It seems Allentown is the place to
be lately, politically," Vimont joked. "Today, I
humbly follow in the path of President Obama."
Obama visited Allentown, stopping at the nearby
Hamilton Family Restaurant and two other
Allentown locations, the Friday before Vimont's
visit.

Pierre Vimont, French Ambassador to
the U.S., mingled with guests at a
private reception before a ceremony
honoring Maj. Nathan Kline, held in the
atrium at the Lehigh Valley Heritage
Museum in Allentown. Here, His Excellency
and Lehigh County Commissioner Percy
Dougherty, considered by some to be the
Lehigh Valley's premier wine expert,
presumably discuss favorite vintages
in addition to international relations.

An escort fit for His Excellency awaits the
Ambassador and his entourage following the
mid-day ceremony and luncheon. Vimont, gracious
in his remarks and company, assured guests
that France "stands with the U.S. in
fighting extremists all over the world and
will continue to do so."

Budget Impasse Affects Preschool Classrooms

Lehigh Valley, Pa. -- Community Services for Children (CSC), Allentown, announced on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, that the 12 preschool classrooms that delayed opening due to the state budget impasse will remain closed until further notice. The closed classrooms affect 233 poor children in the Lehigh Valley area. In addition, CSC is furloughing 46 staff members indefinitely as a consequence of Harrisburg’s budget delays, affecting early childhood education programs Head Start and PreK Counts. Twenty-four employees’ hours will be reduced. 
   
“These are among the most at-risk children in the Lehigh Valley,” said Jane Ervin, CEO/president of CSC. “Many have developmental delays or other disabilities requiring therapy in addition to the Head Start curriculum, health services, and parent supports. We’re receiving 90 phone calls a day from parents asking for advice and help.”

Exacerbating the situation is the delay and evaporation of payments to child care providers, also tied to the release of the state budget.

“Parents are finding they have little or no alternatives. They have to quit work. They have to quit school. And, of course, the children aren’t getting the assistance they need. The pain is deep,” said Ervin.

Last school year, 93 percent of the children enrolled in CSC’s Head Start program completed the program ready for kindergarten, although 88 percent started seriously behind their middle-class peers.

 “Most of the children locked out of the Head Start and PreK Counts classrooms this year are seriously unprepared for kindergarten,” said Ervin. “They also need medical and dental check-ups. They need balanced, nutritious meals. Many need physical or speech therapy. They are out in the cold right now. Public schools will have to deal with those consequences next fall.”

CSC has been able to open 27 other classrooms for Head Start children and also works with Bethlehem Area and Allentown school districts to educate Head Start children and work with their parents.
  

Heeps to Host "Beefology" in Lehigh Valley

Video By Diana Morse
Of Lehigh Valley Source

K. Heeps, Inc., purveyor of beef, poultry, and seafood products to food service organizations and individuals in the greater Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania for more than 50 years, opened its doors recently to host "BEEFOLOGY," a primer on purchasing and enjoying beef.