Insomniak Theatre presents "Crimes of the Heart"

Insomniak Theatre Company presents "CRIMES OF THE HEART" by Beth Henley

Production dates are January 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd @ 8pm

January 17th & 24th @ 2pm

Admission is $15 per person/ $12 for students and seniors

Reserve seats by calling 610-759-7000

Insomniak Theatre

60 South Main Street

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  Three sisters reunite to make sense of their dysfunctional family after the youngest sister, Babe, has just shot her abusive husband. In the end they find a way to face their lives with courage, love and the ultimate saving grace of laughter.

By using costumes, props and set pieces from the 1970s, an accurate Hazlehurst dialect, and music by classic 60s & 70s artists (such as Cass Elliot, Laura Nyro, and Linda Ronstadt) Insomniak will be bringing this story to life in our 70 seat, intimate theatre, that will allow the emotions these characters let out shower over the audience- causing them to feel as if they are part of this family.

CAST

Chick Boyle............................Gabrielle Grube

Lenny Magrath.....................Nicole Brousseau

Doc Porter...............................Ettore Cerino

Meg Magrath...........................Laura Romano

Babe Botrelle...............................Jen Santos

Barnette Lloyd......................Matthew Meckes

Director............................Charles Weigold, III

Stage Manager...........................Jessica Ward

Asst. Stage Manager....................Michael Sacks

Dialect Coach............................William Marley

Scenic Design............................Kristen Meixell

Scenic Construction.......................John Meckes

Sound Design...................Matthew Oberdoester

Cinematography...................Dwight Evan Young

Lighting Design........................Aaron Bowersox

Makeup Design...............................Rose Noel

Costume Coordinator.......................Jen Santos

Poster Design..............................Jane Meckes

#END

Ross Nunamaker
Nazareth, PA

484.809.4872

ross@thenunamakergroup.com
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Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Wal Mart Bathroom Recodings

Both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here) report that the Wal Mart Supercenter in Lower Nazareth had a video camera hidden in a unisex bathroom that was available to both the public and employees.

A group of former and current employees, upon finding the camera and confronting a manager about it, have filed a lawsuit.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Girls Volleyball All-State Players

Congratulations to Tori Hamsher and Faye Lukas from the Nazareth Girls’ Volleyball team for being named to the Class AAA first team All-State Volleyball team.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Old School Hunting

The Morning Call has an article on hunting with a Flintlock gun that features Nazareth’s Mike Dlugos, owner of Mike’s Bait & Sports Shop on East Lawn Road (read it here).

The article speaks to the difference between Flintlock and rifle season and includes information on seasons and where one can hunt for each.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Open Records

The Morning Call has a follow-up article on the records requests conducted throughout PA by a variety of news organizations and one student journalism class (read the article here).

The article again notes the Nazareth Police Department’s refusal at first to release its daily blotter, but did note the blotter, or a version thereof, is now being made available at the front desk on a daily basis.  It would be even better if it were posted online (you can visit the police dept. site here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Weekly Blogosphere Round Up

Andy’s Fan Page has the nearly final (and dwindling in number) football scores along with weather updates, postponement announcements, and some reposts from a variety of sources.  And did I mention local basketball and wrestling coverage?  Yes, he’s got that too!

Center for the Arts has a post on their Opening Night reception and Dave Fry Children’s Show along with ones on parking (now available on show nights at KNBT and Lafayette Ambassador Banks) and upcoming events.

Clonehenge “traveled” to South Africa for its latest post on a henge used as a part of a floral display.

House to Home has photos and a post on the kitchen makeover.  I’ve already suggested she should be on next year’s Holiday House Tour!

Steaming Cup of Joe has a post on Jarrett Brown’s “Nazo State of Mind”.  I got a note a few weeks back from a reader about the song because it mentioned “NewsOverCoffee” and I shared it on my page along with getting the MP3 posted on the home page.  Jarrett was kind enough to post the lyrics for a friend who asked.  I’ve copied them and they are at the bottom of this post (he apologized for the typos as he quickly typed them in from memory). Take a listen you’re bound to get a kick out of it.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings has more than a few posts on congress and the local congressional race between Dent, Callahan, and Towne.  He also has a follow-up to the letter he posted from Kurt Vonnegut to his family, a copy of which was later given to the O’Hare family.  Bernie’s father and Vonnegut were POW’s together and friends after the war.

Tatamy Happenings has a reminder for residents to move their cars from snow emergency routes.

Weird Nazareth also has an ode to “Nazo State of Mind” with a link to a YouTube “video” of the song, which is really just a shot of the Circle along with the song track.

Nazo State of Mind by Jarrett Brown:

YEAH I’M UP ON EAST LAWN
NOW I’M DOWN ON SOUTH STREET 
TAKE IT TO THE WEST END
YEAH THE TOWNIES LOVE ME
HOME OF THE ANDRETTI’S
SO YOU KNOW WE DRIVIN’ FAST CARS
PIZZA SHOP ON EVERY CORNER
MAN YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
HOME OF BLUE EAGLES
AND ALL THE SINKHOLES
WHEN I WAS COMIN UP
I BOUGHT MY CLOTHES AT LANECOS
BUT NOW I ROCK SICK FLOWS
MY HAIRCUT AT ANGELO’S
UNLESS YOU RENTIN’ FROM RAY
YOU GONNA PAY THRU THE NOSE
FROM SICILY TO MIVAJOES
DRIVIN’ THRU THIS TOWN SLOW
CAN’T SEE OUT MY WINDSHEILD
CEMENT DUST COVERED YO
HOME OF THAT BOY WILLIE
759 SUPERB
BETWEEN NY AND PHILLY
KING OF THE SUBURBS 
IM COMIN’ FROM THE OLD SCHOOL
YEAH I MEAN SHAFER EL
OR MAYBE DOWN IN LOWER NAZ
OR MAYBE UP IN BUSHKILL
LIKE THE CIRCLE OF SUCCESS
I GOT INTENSITY
YOU CAN TELL BY MY STYLE 
THAT I’M MOST DEFINITELY
FROM NAZO!

CATCH ME IN THE CIRCLE
THIS BOYS GRANDSTANDIN’
WITH MY HAND ON THE CANNON
YOU CAN HEAR MR DEMANDIN
CHUCH PICNIC PIROGIES
AND BLUE EAGLE HOGIES
YOU CAN’T BE FROM THIS TOWN
IF YOU DON’T KNOW THESE
HOME OF THE TRUMBOWERS
AND INDIAN TOWERS
WE GOT GREY COTTAGES
AND WHITFIELD HOUSES
CATCH ME AT THE BOROUGH PARK
CHECKIN’ OUT A LEGION GAME
SPARK IT UP AT BLACK ROCK
MEDEVICCI REACHIN’ FAME
GONNA PLAY LIKE ANDY LEH
HARD AS LIMESTONE
NOT ONLY IS THIS MY HOME
BUT ALSO RICH & TODD JONES
PITCHIN’ QUOITS WITH MY BOYS 
BUT WAIT
I GOT ABOUT A DOZEN
POTTS DOGS ON MY PLATE
SO WEATHER YOU CAME
FROM NHS OR NOTRE DAME
WE LIVE IN A TOWN 
WITH ONLY 10 LAST NAMES
HOME OF THE KLEPEISE
AND ALL OF THE FREYS
IF YOU LOOK IN MY EYES
YOU CAN CERTAINLY TELL
I’M FROM NAZO!

WOKE UP THIS MORNING
WITH MY AMBITION LOFTY
WORKED OUT AT THE Y
HAD SOME NEWS OVER COFFEE
BALLIN’ AT THE CLIPPER FIELD
ON THAT FIELD I’M A STAR
THEN I PLAYED A COUPLE BARS
ON MY MAR-TIN GUITAR
SPEAKIN’ OF BARS
WE GOT THE BEST OF EM
BEEN AROUND THE VALLEY
BETTER THAN THE REST OF EM
YO HFC
WHAT’S UP TO MY PEOPLE
STOPPED AT CHERRY HILL
JUST TO SAY HI TO CHICO
BUT I STILL GOT MUCH LOVE
FOR ALL THE PRIVATE CLUBS
FROM THE JACKS TO THE HOSE
TO THE VF-DUB
SO THEN I WENT TO TOWN HOUSE
TO HAVE A FEW MORE BEERS
WHEN ALL THE BARS CLOSE
EVERYBODY COMIN’ HERE
NOW I’M SITTIN’ AT THE DINNER
WRITTIN’ DOWN THESE RHYMES
HOPE I DON’T GET SICK
FOR LIKE THE HUNDRETH TIME
I GOT RESPECT FOR THIS TOWN 
LIKE NUNAMAKER COMMANDED
I KNOW YOU CAN’T STAND IT
I’M BLUE AND WHITE LIKE THE STANDARD
IN NAZO!

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Open Records?

The Morning Call in conjunction with a greater evaluation promoted by the AP, recently conducted a test of local municipal governments and school districts to determine the extent to which a one year old law regarding public records was being administered.  Full results will be reported on in the near future, but an overview was included today (read it here).

The intent of the law was to make records of government more accessible to the public, not only reporters.  In this case, reporters went to local governments as individuals and made requests of records covered by the law.

As it turns out, Nazareth Police Chief Trachta refused to turn over the daily Police Blotter, which should be open under the state Criminal History Record Information Act.  The article states:

Knowing the law was behind him, Amerman didn't give a reason and said he just wanted to look at it. That's when Trachta asked for ID and to copy Amerman's media credentials and driver's license. He also requested the name and phone number of his supervisor.

Trachta told me he wasn't convinced Amerman was a reporter. He said he was acting ''suspicious'' and he thought he was digging for information on an incident under investigation that day.

Trachta admitted in the article it was a mistake and indicated the information is now available.

Nazareth wasn’t alone, others didn’t pass the test as well, but hopefully they will all look to be compliant first, and then more open than minimally required in the future.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

A Novel in Stories by Olive Kitteridge

Guest book review by Karen Khornberger of Olive Kitteridge’s ‘A Novel in Stories’ which she gave 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads: 

Olive Kitteridge is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel which is a collection of stories of people in one small town that are all in ways connected to the main character, Olive. The comments on the book state that the characters are developed showing strong human characteristics and I agree wholeheartedly. As I read the stories, I was either blown over by the decisions the characters were making or by their thought processes in general. After the chapters, you were left craving more of that person's story. I think the most amazing thing about this novel is that you could psychoanalyze each character for a lifetime. Elizabeth Strout rocks the boat a lot with the behaviors of the characters and, although the behaviors really can be bizarre, when you think about each character and their circumstances they are behaviors which are all essentially understandable and provoke empathy. The character I had the least empathy for was Olive herself. I was waiting to like Olive and I never achieved that. That is not why I am giving this novel four stars because I actually like that Olive did not get tied up into a happy package for me (I find Olive more believable as a human because she is one of the ones I can just state I don't like her) I am giving it four stars instead of five because I wish Ms. Strout would have not dropped a lot of the stories and provided answers to what happened to some of the characters through the latter stories.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Center for Arts - Grand Opening Weekend!

Following extensive renovation, the building at 30 Belvidere Street, former Vigilance Hose Company turned Borough Office Building, is reborn tonight as the Nazareth Center for the Arts.  To celebrate there will be activity all weekend starting off with Friday’s Open House reception from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. featuring light refreshments and background music by harp soloist Sue Moll.  Come on out to see the Center’s phase one renovation.  There will also be artwork and photography in the gallery by Kathleen Hildebrandt, Jane Marshall, Brenda Messinger-Voll, and photographer Rick Smith.

Saturday will feature two shows by Dave Fry.  Fry has received many accolades including the 2009 Best Folk Performer at the LV Music Awards.  His children’s shows are highly interactive and engaging with children taking part throughout.  The Morning Call recently reported (read it here) that, “Fry will bring his usual humor and interactive songs perfect for all ages to concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Kids should prepare to join Fry on stage for classics such as ''Baby Shark'' and ''Peanut Butter.''”  Admission for each show is $10 per person, family of four is $30.

On Sunday, Dave Doll, Magic Bean, and Karen & Amy Jones will all perform from 1:00 – 5 p.m.  Admission is $10.00 for all three and tickets can be purchased at the door.  Dave Doll pairs words and melodies to form a signature style with raw emotion and take-notice guitar playing.  Magic Bean will perform classic folk/rock covers plus original music by Nazareth native Chris Thomas.  Easton performers Karen & Amy Jones are classically trained singers, who now write songs, sing, and play guitar as an acoustic rock duo.

Important Parking Information:  KNBT Bank and Lafayette Ambassador Bank have generously provided parking for patrons of the Nazareth Center for the Arts.  Lot usage is available on show evenings only.  The lots are available beginning 5:30 pm and all vehicles must exit by midnight on weekdays.  Lots are also available during weekend performances.  To learn more visit www.NazarethArts.com and select the Parking page.

Disclosure Statement:  In December 2009, Ross Nunamaker became part-time Business Manager for the Nazareth Center for the Arts.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

NASD Budget

The Express-Times reports that the 2010-2011 NASD School Budget draft was released to the public (read the article here).

The budget calls for a ‘modest’ 2.9% tax increase.  Last year NASD was eligible for exceptions to their tax increase cap and used them in order to yield a surplus and to earn more money this year using a smaller tax increase since the base was larger.

The annual operating budget is set at $60.1M. The NASD carries $103M in debt.

The actual budget documents do not appear to have been posted online, yet, but they ought to be found here when they are.

The Board is scheduled to vote on the budget on February 8.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

NASD to Get Out of Debt Swaps

The Morning Call reports (read it here) that the NASD Board voted to stop using debt swaps, if it doesn’t cost extra money to do so.

Bethlehem School District’s debt swaps cost taxpayers over $10M.

According to the article NASD was told, “unlike Bethlehem's transactions, Nazareth's included no undisclosed payments and no conflicts of interest, the board was told.”

Also of note in the article, “A recent audit by the state attorney general's office focused on the Bethlehem Area School District and advised every local government or authority that has debt swaps to end them as soon as possible.”

The NASD is currently carrying $103M in debt.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Hollywood Video Closing?

Got word from a reader that they stopped by Hollywood Video at the Giant Shopping Center and it was closed with a Sheriff’s sale sign in the window.

Apparently it is closed for good.

If anyone has any additional information, let me know.

Now that this is closed and Blockbuster at the Walmart on 248, seems we are out of video stores.  Guess it is Netflix and Redbox for those who like to rent.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

More on Teachers' Contract

The Express-Times has more on the Teachers Contract that was approved by the NASD on Monday (read it here).

In the final two years of the existing contract the teachers will get 4.65% raises in 2010 and 2011.  Under the new agreement they will get a 3.75% annual increase, and those using the family benefit for insurance are paying $34 per month.  Considering a typical family medical plan costs about $1400, this is a tremendous deal.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

All Day K and New Teachers Contract

The Morning Call reports that NASD Board has approved all day K in all schools (read the article here).

''We are continuing to look at ways to find funding,'' said Superintendent Victor D. Lesky.

Taxpayers can expect a tax hike as the proposed budget will increase over $2.5 million this coming year.

Lesky recommended keeping the tax hike at 2.9 percent while continuing to reduce expenditures to avoid going to a voter referendum to maintain a fund balance.

Last year the district used all its exemptions to go above the referendum limit, and I’d anticipate the same this year.

The Board also approved an extended teachers’ contract giving the teachers annual raises of 3.75% per year for four years and one less day to work per year.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker