Music, Food and Friends: News From Plaza Grower's Market

Here's the latest news from Karen Tuerk, the Plaza Growers' Market market manager:

Homegrown music now lined up for the next month for the Plaza Grower's Market, starting next week at lunchtime (11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m.) will be...

6/3 Todd Wolfe

6/10 Jake Kaligis & Mike Rauscher

6/17  Steve Brosky & Jimmy Meyer

6/24 Dina Hall

Featured Farmer of the Week; June 3rd
Bill and Lorraine Mineo of LCs Farm Alastar LLC

History and Philosophy:  Although we have always grown ample produce 
for our family, we launched our direct marketing produce business as 
we retired from our professions in the sciences & administration. We 
practice sustainable agriculture that includes biodiversity. Our 
production plots are on a five year rotation so we are pesticide –
free. We currently employ high tunnel technology to extend the growing 
seasons. We were featured in a recent issue of the Pennsylvania 
Association for Sustainable Agriculture publication [PASA Passages, 
Farmer Profile, March/April 2009] explaining our operation and our 
aspirations. We delight in growing produce for those with a 
Mediterranean palate

Featured Produce:  European Salad mix, Beets, Swiss Chard.The European 
salad mix that includes a mixture of leaf lettuces, arugula, and tangy 
greens has a refreshing taste/texture and complements many types of 
cuisine. We are growing a variety of beets that can be baked in the 
skin, cooked, or made sweet/sour. Beet tops are delicious when 
sautéed. Swiss chard is delicious when sautéed lightly in olive oil 
with garlic added near the end of cooking. Simple, quick preparation 
methods work well.

MUSIC!
Blues Leaf recording artist TODD WOLFE and band, plays aggressive and 
daring blues tinged jam-rock reminiscent of the bands of the sixties 
and seventies. Todd's band was formed following his five-year stint 
with Sheryl Crow as lead guitarist and occasional writing partner. 
Todd toured the world with Sheryl from 1993 until 1998 opening shows 
for the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Page & 
Plant among others. Now, with his newest band Todd Wolfe picks up 
where he left off 10 years ago with his original Bluesadelic-jamming 
sounds! "Borrowed Time"

COMMUNITY TABLES
Circle of Stones Ritual Theatre Ensemble is a professional, non-profit 
theatre company whose mission is to catalyze positive community 
transformations using the performing arts.  Their next production, 
"Gilgamesh", is presented at Allentown Symphony Hall June 19-21 and 
26-28.  This original theatrical adaptation heralds a vision for a new 
Allentown.  Join them as they forge a new future for our city with 
this tremendous retelling of the first written story in the world.  
Performed by a cast of 35 actors, dancers and singers and directed by 
award-winning director, Steven Dennis.  www.circleofstones.org

Allentown Chen Arts Group
The Allentown Chen Arts Group was founded in April, 2008 and includes 
artists living and working in Allentown, as well as regional artists 
who are interested in exhibiting and selling their work in Allentown. 
The group includes visual artists, film makers, musicians, dancers, 
writers, and creative people of all ages who are interested in 
supporting and promoting the arts in Allentown.
The group is called “Chen Arts” because we meet for good food and 
conversation at the fabulous House of Chen restaurant on Hamilton St. 
in Allentown. We also meet monthly as a group for parties and events 
at artist’s studios/homes where we share slides or images of our work. 
In the spirit of community building we are hopeful that our group will 
help to promote a positive image of Allentown through the arts. Anyone 
is welcome to join CHARGE and be a part of a new and growing art scene 
in Allentown.

Mayfair Was Great!

When my nieces begged me to take them to Mayfair, I couldn't say, "no."

The weather was great.  The place was packed with happy people enjoying themselves.  

There were lots of interesting things to see, do, hear and...eat!

A big thank you to all of the people (city staff, volunteers, Mayfair staff, vendors, performers and more) who make Mayfair and Allentown the place to be in the Lehigh Valley on Memorial Day Weekend.

Let's Do Lunch

Let's do lunch!  Next Wednesday and every Wednesday through September.

It's back!  The Plaza Growers Market will be opening next Wednesday, June 3nd at PPL Plaza (on Hamilton St. between 8th and 9th Streets ) with a new time...LUNCHTIME from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Last night there was an organizational meeting of the Friends of the Growers Market.  Karen Tuerk is doing a great job organizing this year's market.  You can expect fabulous local food (some new and some returning vendors), homegrown music and activities for kids every week.  

There are still a few openings for farmer/food vendors, musicians and community groups for the community table.  If you want to be a part of the market or get involved as a volunteer, give Karen a call at 610-653-4477.  

Parking is in the Farr Lot, with access from 8th Street or Linden Street.

See you there!

Become a Tree Tender

Become part of the "growing" TreeVitalize initiative, an effort led by
Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to increase tree cover and the many benefits that trees offer us in Pennsylvania's communities by taking part in the Tree Tender experience on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Mountainville Memorial in Allentown from 8 to 4 pm.

Trees not only improve air quality, but studies show greening can serve as an economic stimulus tool and increase nearby property values by up to 30 percent. Properly placed trees help to moderate indoor/outdoor
temperatures, and can reduce energy costs, noise pollution and crime rates, among many other environmental, social and health benefits.

Tree Tenders is a training program that empowers concerned residents to
make dramatic strides towards restoring and caring for their local tree
canopy. Join us for eight hours of hands-on training that covers tree biology, identification, planting, proper care, and working with your community. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) in collaboration with Penn State Cooperative Extension developed this course for citizens and experts alike. Since 1993, over 3000 community volunteers from 200
Pennsylvania neighborhoods have become trained Tree Tenders.

The $15 fee includes food, materials and publications. Registration is required. The course offers ISA, PA LA, PLNA and Act 48 ceus.

For more information about the Tree Tenders program, email the DCNR Bureau of Forestry at fd17@state.pa.us or to register, contact Julianne
Schieffer, 610-489-4315, or jxs51@psu.edu. Registration forms and
questions can be directed to Julianne Schieffer at the Montgomery County
Cooperative Extension office, 1015 Bridge Road Suite H, Collegeville, PA
19426; phone (610) 489-4315; email jxs51@psu.edu.  

Tree Tenders Training
Thursday, June 11, 2009; 8-4 pm
Mountainville Memorial
1814 South 5th Street
Allentown, PA 18103

Sustainable Urban Network Launches sun*lv.org Website

Find more photos like this on SUN*LV.org Network

The Sustainable Urban Network launched a website last night at their Community Garden Forum.

The Sustainable Urban Network has been a project of Leadership Lehigh Valley.  As such, they helped develop the Chestnut Street Garden in Allentown's First Ward.  You can see pictures of the garden's transformation in their slideshow here.

A big thank you to Leadership Lehigh Valley, our Weed and Seed office and our community for making this garden a success.

Now, on with the additional help of a summer intern, we are on to organizing a network of community gardens throughout Allentown!

Baila Conmigo!

Are you looking for something fun and festive (and FREE) to do this weekend? The Circle of Stones Theatre is presenting Baila Conmigo, a three-day cultural celebration. The weekend kicks off tonight at 7:00 pm (at Zions UCC), with a viewing and discussion of El Sistema, a film that explores the power of music among children in the barrios of Venezuela. Through the El Sistema network, 250,000 youth in Venezuela are currently learning to play an instrument!

On Saturday, stop by Buck Boyle Park at 1:00 pm to learn about the Capoeira, an unique Brazilian art form that infuses dance, music, gymnastics, self-defense and the Portugese language. Those who practice this art form, known as Capoeira, appear to defy gravity as they jump, flip, spin and cartwheel through the air! You can practice your new dance moves Saturday night at the Baila Dance Party, which will feature the Latin-style musical group Sabor Tropical and the dancers of the Hispanic American League of Artists (HALA). The party begins at 7:00 pm at the Fearless Fire Co (1221 S. Front St).

The weekend winds down with the International Peace Parade on Sunday, beginning at 2:00 pm at the Allentown Arts Park and ending at Buck Boyle Park. The Parade will display the Valley's rich cultural diversity , featuring costumes, customs, music and dance. Following the parade, food vendors will be on hand offering Chinese, Jamaican, Mexican, Italian and Puerto Rican cuisine. For more information on the Baila Conmigo events and to purchase dance party tickets, click here.

**ALSO, tonight marks the return of the "Movies in the Park" series with the presentation of Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End. The movie is free and will begin at dusk - all you need to do is bring your family, a lawn chair and blanket to Union Terrace Park! And did I mention that the events calendar is now EASIER to access? All you have to do is go to www.allentownpa.gov/events

Old Allentown Flower and Flea Market Today!

Alas, some of our contributors (myself included) have migrated from the world of blogs to the brave new world of Twitter.  

This has resulted in a decrease in postings to this blog.

We apologize.  

The irony is that we have never been busier with good news about Allentown.  Things have been happening, but a small percent are being posted.   There was the Brew Works re-opening of the clubhouse at the Allentown Municipal Golf Course, the ribbon-cutting of Blend-Pro and an opening of an original play at the Civic Theatre last night (I'm going tonight!)

Moving right along, however, the Old Allentown Preservation Association is holding its 18th Annual Flower and Flea Market & Street Festival today from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.  Check it out!  See you there!

Yesterday there was quite a buzz about this happening. With the fun my extended family had at the Greenman Festival last Saturday, I think that Allentown activities are going to become a weekend family tradition.  

Allentown Chamber Gives Dadonna Awards

The Allentown Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Dinner last night where the Joseph S. Daddona Awards were given out.  

Winners included the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix winning the New Commitment Award, the Allentown Brew Works winning the Downtown Commitment Award, the Civic Theatre of Allentown winning the Dedication Award, Pastor Bob Stevens of the Zion (Liberty Bell) Church winning the Good Neighbor Award and, six Allentown high school students winning Allentown Chamber Scholarships.   Congratulations to everyone and sincere thanks for your commitment to our community.

Pictured here are the three Chamber scholarship winners from William Allen High School, Olivia Fey, Stephanie Lamb and Kimberly Gruber.  There were another three amazing students from Dieroff High School who won similar scholarships.   I, sadly, happened not to take a picture of them.  

After meeting and talking with these young people, I have renewed hope for the bright future of Allentown (and the world).  With young people like this, anything is possible! What bright stars they all are.  These three will be attending Temple, the University of Pennsylviania and Cornell in the fall.  Go get 'em!  Make us proud!

Fels Institute Progress Report Praises City Housing Strategy

An update to a University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government report (a 15 page publication titled "An Economic Development Challenge") on a housing strategy for the City of Allentown's central-city neighborhoods finds that the city has achieved remarkable success within a short period. The housing strategy, as described in the November 2007 Fels report, had identified as key isses, upgrading the city's exsisting housing stock and improving the quality of rental property management and maintenance.

"At a time when many Pennsylvania muncipalities are struggling to deal with rental property maintenance problems, Allentown is taking the lead in implementing a proactive strategy. In light of Allentown's success in addressing this major challenge, many other muncipalities will be studying the report as a how-to manual for stabilizing residential communities", said John Kromer, Senior Consultant at the Fels Institute.

The progress report cites the leadership of Mayor Ed Pawlowski, legislative action by City Council, and capable and reliabble action by staff to achieve remarkable successes within a short period. Successes noted in the progress report include more efficient collection of fees and penalities leading to generation of additional revenues for the city, faster identification and resolution of property-maintenance problems, more effective actions against negligent property owners, and increased opportunities to attract development to the downtown area.

The Fels Institute report called for Allentown's central-city neighborhoods to be "managed as an economic asset that can and should generate significant added value to the city and region" and included a summary of the key elements of an asset management strategy. If all of the elements of this strategy are adopted and implemented, "conditions in the city's downtown-area neighborhoods and the central business district will improve, generating significant economic benefit to the city, county and region."

The progress report describes the actions taken by the city to address housing problems through a preventive, proactive approach, and to resolve them before they create a significant cost burden for the city taxpayers or become a threat to the safety and well-being of neighborhood residents. It includes the establishment of a blight property certification and property acquisition schedule. The city is being more aggressive in pursuing water/sewer delinquencies and has collected more than $175,000 in delinquent rental registration/license fees and water/sewer charges by inspections staff initiating the revocation notice process. The City's Bureau of Building Standards & Safety is also now fully staffed with nine Rental Housing Inspectors.

According to Liz Hersh, Executive Director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, "This progress report shows that rental housing, when managed effectively, is an asset that can drive downtown revitalization and economic development. It demonstrates that rental housing can be an asset, cultivated through the strategic use of exsisting resources. Allentown is leading the way toward a much needed paradigm shift."

Channel 69 news did a great story on this, click here to check it out