Weekly Blogosphere Round-Up

Two new entries this week:  Nazareth Daily News and World of Patrice.  If you know of a Nazareth area based blog, forward me the link (editor@newsovercoffee.com) and I’ll add it to the sidebar of NewsOverCoffee.com and include it in the round-up.  The round-up includes sites that made a post during the week so be sure to check the full list of sites on the home page, left sidebar.

Andy’s Fan Page has plenty of coverage of basketball and wrestling as both seasons are in the post-season and teams and individuals are trying to qualify for states.

Center for the Arts announces an open mic session on Wednesday and Magic Bean on Saturday (tickets $10 online or at the door).

Clonehenge continues its theme of movie and tv sightings and includes European Vacation’s Clark Griswald who topples Stonehenge when leaving.

House to Home aka The Yellow House explains an ingenious use for those who collect doorknobs and has an aside featuring penguin cupcakes.

Steaming Cup has a few posts related to baseball (it is about that time) and another on reason and public education, wherein he makes several points about the system that seem to frustrate taxpayers on an ongoing basis.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings features the best coverage anywhere on county level government and doesn’t disappoint this week.  In addition to standard coverage he also has a post on County web cast of Council meetings.  I’ve added a link to the NOC sidebar for people to be able to access these meetings.

Nazareth Daily News launched on February 21, 2010 and in its initial post described itself as follows: “This blog is dedicated to Nazareth, PA and it’s surrounding communities. Here you will find all the news that’s fit to print (or type) relating to our town. This will be your one stop to keep up with what’s going on whether it be local sports, meetings, politics, or even yes our American Idol candidate.”  I know, sounds a lot like NOC, but people like choices: The Express-Times and The Morning Call, The Us and The Key, and now NewsOverCoffee and Nazareth Daily News.

Weird Nazareth has the registration for the upcoming Soap Box Derby race on May 1.  This event shouldn’t be missed!  I understand there have been a huge number of entries including a group of people from Connecticut coming down to compete.

World of Patrice  another new edition to the blogosphere round-up, this blog features the photography and clothing designs of Nazareth-based, Patrice Mitchell.  Not sure how long the blog has been up, I connected with Patrice through FB and when I joined her fan page I found the blog, and am sharing it with everyone.  She has two contests going on right now so be sure to visit her blog!

Quite an active online community in Nazareth!  Have a great week everyone and best of luck to boys and girls basketball along with those wrestlers who are all competing in the PIAA State Championship Tournaments this week!

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Nazareth Item Columnist turned Pulitzer Prize Winner Dies at Age 85

The Anchorage Daily News reports on the death of John Strohmeyer (read the article here).

According to the article, Strohmeyer won a Pulitzer Prize in 1972 for editorial writing featuring racial tensions in Bethlehem.  He was the editor of the Bethlehem Globe-Times for 28 years.  In 1987 he moved to Anchorage, Alaska to serve as the Atwood Chair of Journalism at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

His early life was quite remarkable. 

According to the article he was born on June 26, 1924 to a Lithuanian immigrant.  His father, a coal-miner, committed suicide after the mine he worked in was closed, when Strohmeyer was five.  He and his brother were placed in an orphanage.  Two years later, his mother returned taking the boys to Nazareth, PA where she settled with her new husband Louis Strohmeyer.

At age 16, Strohmeyer began his journalism career reporting for the Nazareth Item (digital versions available online through the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity).

He attended Moravian College and worked nights at the Globe-Times from 1941 to 1943, before joining the U.S. Navy.  After the war he graduated from Muhlenberg, then attended The Journalism School at Columbia University, in NYC.  He finished first in his class, won a Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship, and covered both the 1948 London Olympics and the Berlin Airlift.

In 1952, he won a Neiman Fellowship to Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, and in 1956 returned to become editor of The Bethlehem Globe-Times.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Girls Basketball District 2nd Place

The Nazareth Girls Basketball team lost to Northampton in Orefield on Friday night to finish 2^nd in Class AAAA District XI tournament.  They will enter the state tournament and are scheduled to play the 4^th place finisher from District XII next week according to an article in the Morning Call (read it here).

The teams were tied at the half, but Northampton went on an 11-0 run in the third that the Blue Eagles couldn’t overcome.  The win was the 4^th straight for the K-Kids over Nazareth and finally gave them a championship after runner-up finishes in the conference and districts the past two seasons.

Good luck to the team in the state tournament!

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Thefts Escalate in Size

On Thursday, the Express-Times reported on thefts of small items from vehicles in Tatamy (read the article here) and on Friday, JD Malone reported that the tractor portion of a tractor trailer was stolen in Stockertown (read about it here).  The tractor was a 2001 Freightliner, white with a blue hood.  You can contact either police department if you have any information regarding these thefts.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

PNC Bank Grand Opening

PNC Bank’s grand opening at its location off Route 248 near Target will feature the Philadelphia Eagle’s David Akers according to a report in the Express-Times (read it here).

Maybe more important, the article notes:  “the branch will host a celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free food, entertainment and prizes. The first 100 people to attend will receive an envelope containing up to $100.”

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

"Insomniak Band Night/Laura's 21st Birthday!"

"Insomniak Band Night/Laura's 21st Birthday!" on Saturday, March 27 at
7:00pm.

Event: Insomniak Band Night/Laura's 21st Birthday!
What: Birthday Party
Start Time: Saturday, March 27 at 7:00pm
End Time: Saturday, March 27 at 11:00pm
Where: Insomniak Theatre Company

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=325147887855&mid=1f085dbG6e2fa5dbG8
05dedG7

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Andretti Autosport Signs Karam

This Thursday, the AP reported and many picked up the release announcing that Michael Andretti’s Andretti Autosport signed Bushkill Township’s Sage Karam to compete in the new USF2000.  The new series was added to fill the ‘gap’ between Barber National, where Sage ran last season, and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.  In the “Road to Indy” development ladder, from Star Mazda drivers advance to IndyLights and then IndyCar provided they have the funding.  Sage has been supported by Michael Fux since last season and his sponsors for the new season are the Michael Fux Foundation and Comfort Revolution.

Andretti Autosport signs 15-year-old driver The Associated Press But the Pennsylvania native will be racing on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., later this month. The 15-year-old from Nazareth, Pa., was hired Thursday ...

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

"The Last Days of Judas Iscariot "

Subject: JUDAS ISCARIOT still running

Judas Iscariot still running Mar. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 8pm and Mar. 7, 14 at
2pm. Reserve your tickets at

610-759-700

or visit

http://www.facebook.com/l/7f39b;www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Come share the love with our cast and enjoy a night of intensely moving
theatre. See you there.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Jay Smar Performs at Center for Arts

Jay Smar (http://www.jaysmar.com/) will perform tonight at the Nazareth Center for the Arts (www.nazaretharts.com).  Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.

Jay will perform playing bluegrass, folk songs, and mining songs from north east PA.  He’ll also have material on coal mining available.

Currently, Jay has a cd out titled, “Heritage & Coal Mining Songs of Northeast Pennsylvania” and he often performs educational programs in schools.

The show begins at 7 p.m. and will run until 8:15 p.m.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Council Meeting Report from MC

The Morning Call now has a report on Monday’s Borough Council meeting, with a strong emphasis on the snow emergency complaints that were received (read the article here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Boys Basketball to Play for 3rd Playoff Spot

The boys basketball team lost its District XI AAAA semi-final game to Liberty and must now play in the consolation final game against Pocono Mountain East on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.  The winner of that game, being played at Easton Middle School, will advance to the state tournament.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Flurer's Hotel to Close

Flurer’s Hotel announced it is closing on March 6^th with an ad in the Key thanking their customers for their patronage over the past 23 years.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Evita!

The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce today released an announcement regarding:

The Nazareth Area High School Theatre Troupe presents…Evita!

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

March 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM

March 21 and 28 at 2:00 PM

Tickets - $12 Adults, $10 Students & Seniors

For Tickets and Information

Call 610-746-9002

EVITA is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals

and Two Knights Rights Limited.  www.rnhtheatricals.com.

To learn more about the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce visit: www.nazarethchamber.com

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Basketball and Wrestling in Postseason

I don’t provide a whole lot of sports coverage on this site, but this was a big year for Nazareth’s winter sports teams and former athletes now coaching.

Last year the wrestling program saw its first losing season since the 1960s, and they rebounded to win the Lehigh Valley Conference with a victory over Parkland, coached by former Nazareth wrestler Ryan Nunamaker. Up north, the Mountain Valley Conference title came down to Pleasant Valley and Stroudsburg, who won the title, coached by former Blue Eagles Mark Getz and Matt Kleinle, respectively.

In basketball, the Boys team, coached by Nazareth’s own Joe Arndt, won the LVC Championship and head into the District XI semi-finals against Liberty tonight at Freedom HS at 7:30 p.m. 

The Girls’ team is having another strong season most recently defeating top seeded East Stroudsburg South in the District XI semi-finals to earn a spot in the finals and a trip to the state tournament.  The Championship game will be on Friday night in Parkland at 7:30 p.m.

And what would a sports report be without hearing from the most celebrated, well-known, and beloved fan in the Valley, Nazareth’s Andy Weaver.  Here are selections from his latest post/email:

Big game tonight for Nazareth Boys Basketball!! 7:30pm at Freedom!! We are playing Liberty!!

1 Win away from the state tournament for the 1st time ever!! Yes, the 1st time ever for Nazareth!!

If you aren't doing anything, come on out to Freedom High School and support the Boys!!!!!!

I am concerned about facing Liberty. They just got Anthony Gonzales back on their team. He was hurt all season. I Hope ANTHONY is tired or something so we can beat them!!!!!!!

I am upset that the game is at Freedom, it favors Liberty. It in the same school district as Liberty. I Hope that don't favor Liberty.

Nazareth is the 1st Lehigh Valley Conference to win 2 titles in the same school year in Wrestling and Basketball!!!!!!!!! I Looked it up and it is the 1st time ever that any school have done it!!!!!! Nazareth Boys were honored Monday night at city hall by the mayor!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Feel bad for the Girls team from Nazareth, they never get my attenton. If it was up to me and if I Could Drive, I Would be at those Girls in a heartbeat! They deserve attention too!!

Well done Andy, and hope you don’t mind my stealing your report to include here!  Good luck to all the teams throughout the rest of the post-season!

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

MS Cook Off

The Express-Time’s Tony Nauroth reports on an Iron Chef style cooking competition at the Nazareth Middle School (read the article here) and has a follow-up listing the winning teams and describing their creations (read it here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

ET on Snow Emergency

The Express-Times has an article (read it here) on the snow emergency declared in Nazareth last week and reaction of residents who attended the Borough Council meeting on Monday.

It was the first snow emergency called in 19 years and it resulted in residents having to move vehicles around midnight on Thursday.

Two significant contributors to the problem were the fact that it was the first in nearly 20 years and second that information on a snow emergency was not readily available (neither on borough web site or published in a newspaper) when it was declared and thereby people didn’t know what to do (see the earlier post on Council meeting).

The Borough agreed the ordinance should be enforced, but also agreed that the process needs to be reviewed to make sure it works as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Borough Council Meeting

Thanks to the reader who forwarded along notes from the latest Council meeting:

The Borough of Nazareth Workshop scheduled for Thursday, February 25th was cancelled because of the snow storm.

The Borough of Nazareth regular Council meeting was held on Monday, March 1st at 7pm

Resolution No.3-10 was passed honoring the Nazareth High School Boy's Basketball Team for winning the 2010 Lehigh Valley Conference Championship.  The players and coaches were present to receive copies of the Resolution.

There were several complaints by members of the audience with regard to snow removal and the snow emergency.  Some felt there was a lack of communication, and difficulties in get the word out to the community.  Mayor Daugherty will be reviewing the situation and possibly making some changes so that future snow emergencies go a little smoother.  Overall, the snow removal went well.

·        Motion passed for request by the Nazareth Jacksonian Club for the use of the Kraemer Field on Saturday March 27th for their Easter Egg Hunt.   (rain date is Sunday, March 28th)

·        Motion passed for request by the Vigilance Hose Fire Company for use of the Park on Sunday March 28th for their Easter Egg Hunt.  (rain date is Saturday, April 3rd)

·        Motion passed to remove the 15 minute parking zone on the south side of East Center Street in front of Oswald Jewelers.

·        Motion to accept the resignation of Patty Daugherty as Chairperson and member of the Boro of Nazareth Shade Tree Commission.  This will create an open position on the Commission; anyone interested in applying for the unexpired term which ends on December 31, 2011, should contact Councilman Charlie Donello or drop off a letter of application at the Boro office.

·        Motion passed to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee for refinancing some of the Boro's debt; recommendation is to issue twenty year bonds.

The Engineer reported that 2 parking spaces will be added on S Broad Street in front of Copiers, Inc. 

The opening date for the Boro's Yard Waste facility is April 1st; hours the same as last year; check the Recycle Newsletter.

The library needs to replace their 30 year old furnace.  A letter has been sent to Senator Arlen Specter requesting a grant for a replacement furnace.

The Soap Box Derby will be held on May 1st; rain date May 2nd

Police report:  298 calls of service

Note:  There is snow removal information available on the Borough's website (nazarethborough.com), but not the actual snow emergency instructions.  The snow emergency was announced on the local radio stations and on Channel 69.

The snow emergency instructions were not published in any newspaper this past Fall, nor were they available in the Boro newsletter. The emergency instructions are NOT on the website.  How are people to know what to do???

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Women in Nazareth Networking

On Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at noon, the Women in Nazareth Networking (WINN) will have a luncheon featuring speaker Dr. Eric Herman.

The luncheon will be held at Chick-Fil-A off route 248.  The fee is $12 per member (advance) $15 per member at the door, and $20 for non-members.

To learn more or reserve your tickets call 610.759.9188 or email bsmith at nazarethchamber dot com

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Vigilance Hose Easter Egg Hunt

The Annual Nazareth Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Vigilance Hose Company No. 1 will be held on Sunday, March 28th starting at 2pm at the Borough Park. The rain/snow date is Sat. April 3rd also at the Park.

The Easter Egg hunt is for Borough children only ages 0-8 years old. There will be 5 different age categories, 0=11 months, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. A $50.00 grand prize will be in the 7-8 age group with other prizes awarded in the other age groups. All children will receive a chocolate or vanilla bunny. And of course the Easter Bunny will be there for pictures.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Blood Drive

The Nazareth Moravian church will be holding a blood drive for the Miller Keystone Blood Center on Sunday March 7th from 12-3 PM. Anyone interested in donating please contact Traci Stocker @ 610-746-4875.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Insomniak Theatre Company Auditions

AUDITIONS: "Forever Plaid" March 15 & 16

AUDITIONS FOR "FOREVER PLAID" @ INSOMNIAK THEATRE
60 SOUTH MAIN STREET NAZARETH, PA. 18064

Insominak Theatre announces auditons for the ever popular and enduring
musical "Forever Plaid" a 1950' Heavenly Musical by Stuart Ross Monday and
Tuesday March 15 & 16, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The director asks that
you come prepared to sing 16 bars of a 1950's style song. (Ballet ot up
tempo) A pianist will be provided. Also come prepared with a 30 second
comedic monologue, short story or poem. A head shot or recent photo would be
appreciated. There will be movement taught during the audition process. For
more information email director Sue Raesly at sueneta@aim.com. Rehearsals will start Sunday, March 21 @ 3:00 - 8:00pm. Complete rehearsal
schedule will be discussed that day. The show dates are June 24,25,26,27, &
July 1,2,3,4, 2010.

Book Director/Choreography - Sue Raesly
Assistant Director - Laurel Wenson
Musical Director - Matt Meckes

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
FRANCIS - The leader and caretaker of the group. Second Tenor- Lyric
Baritone JINX - The shy one. Tenor
SMUDGE - The worrier. He worries about props, about running order and always
assumes that the audieince won't like him. Bass
SPARKY - The clown and cut up of the group. He always looking for ways to
crack jokes. Baritone

These four characters will individually be handling 221 props, some being
playing an accordian and eating fire. Holding four part harmonies and moving well is a MUST.

If you are unable to make these audition dates please email Sue Raesly at
sueneta@aim or call the theater at 610 759-7000.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Ground and Water Contamination

The Morning Call had a feature article on Sunday regarding ground and water contamination due to underground fuel container leaks (read the article here).

The article included a situation in Upper Nazareth along Township Line Road, where a diesel dispenser from a trucking company in East Allen Township, leaked and the pollutants entered the storm water system.  Some local residents, who have well water, have stopped using it for drinking.  The article notes that clean-up takes on average five years and $125,000.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker