Also at the last School Board Meeting

Received this info and wanted to pass it along and say congratulations:

From the board agenda:  Award the Prudential Spirit of Community Award to Kendall Ohrwashel, grade 10 – Mr. Davis

Kendall was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for her fund raising efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Kendall received a certificate from Prudential as well as a personal letter of recognition from President Obama. Over the past 3 years she has helped raise over $13,000.  She accomplished this through annual summer book sales and a “Spirit Chain” event at her school. 

This year’s book sale is extra special because all the proceeds will benefit and assist the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania, Pottsville Regional Office, in granting the wish of Averi, age 3, from Nazareth.  Averi has leukemia and has wished to go to Disney World to meet Mickey Mouse. 

Kendall will be collecting donated books, either old or new, and selling them to raise money.  The only books that she cannot accept are encyclopedia sets, text books and Readers Digest condensed version books, so please don’t leave any of those.  The adult books sell for $1.00 and children’s books are 50 cents and $1.00. 

The sale this summer is on June 25th and 26^th, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at 143 1st Street, Nazareth.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

"AUDITIONS: Pippin the Musical"

Event: AUDITIONS: Pippin the Musical
What: Audition
Start Time: Thursday, May 20 at 7:00pm
End Time: Saturday, May 22 at 4:00pm
Where: Insomniak Theatre

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Kitchen Magic Moves to LNT

The Express-Times reports that Kitchen Magic is moving is company from NJ to Lower Nazareth Township (read the article here).

The facility is 62,000 square feet and there will be 200 employees at the headquarters according to the article.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

One Act Festival - Call for Scripts

Received this note from Insomniak Theatre via Facebook:

Seeking Playwrights...Authors who are willing to enter their One Acts into our ONE ACT FESTIVAL! The first weekend in June. (4 & 5)

If you're interested send your script to 60 South Main Street
Nazareth, PA 18064

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Debate for Grucela's Seat

Two democrats and two republicans are running for the seat being vacated by State Rep. Rich Grucela.

The candidates had their first debate and both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here) covered the event.

All four candidates have strong ties to the Slate Belt area. Democrats Charles Dertinger and Frank Scagliotta and Republicans Donald Albanese and Joe Emrick discussed the issues and got a few barbs in on one another.

Albanese, a former NJ Assemblyman whose wife is from Bangor, moved back to her hometown 15 years ago. Emrick, who was born and raised in Bangor and now serves as an Upper Nazareth Township Supervisor, said, “the last thing voters want is a New Jersey politician in Harrisburg. 'He may have experience in the [New Jersey] legislature, and some experience is not worth repeating,'” according to the Morning Call article.

They all want to cut waste and discussed a variety of taxes they supported or wanted to drop/reduce.

Considering the barbs made, I’d imagine the mailings and phone calls should be interesting.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Crystal Meth Arrest

A man was arrested on 17 charges after police pulled him over for driving through stop signs and red lights at which point he fled his vehicle and was chased until he became entangled in barb wire and was tasered according to the Express-Times (read the article here).

The article notes the man was under the influence of crystal meth at the time and had the substance in a metal tin in his possession once arrested.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

School Board & Layoff Update

Received a note in regard to the recent NASD Board meeting. In light of the recent article indicating that Nazareth was working to avoid future layoffs, this was a bit interesting.

Long time readers are well aware that I am not an advocate of all day kindergarten. However, the NASD has been pushing for this for several years. With the 4^th and 5^th graders moved out of the Elem buildings and into the NAIS, there is room to expand the K program to all day.

Expanding all day K will eliminate mid-day bus runs, but will double the number of teachers and aides. At a time when we are facing a budget short-fall, and we are concerned about laying off teachers, adding new ones and increasing costs to implement all-day K, which is not proven to be helpful (and the RAND study suggests over time is slightly detrimental) for students, doesn’t seem like a good decision.

To hold costs, instead of hiring new teachers, the plan discussed at the meeting as relayed to me, is to move 2^nd and 3^rd grade teachers down to the new K positions. This will increase class size in these grades from 20 to about 23-24.

I think this clearly shows that IF we were to carefully evaluate and consider class size, class offerings (upper grades), removal of block scheduling, and non-implementation of all day K, we’d find that there are ways to save money by reducing the number of teachers required (this could be through attrition, not necessary lay-offs over time) that would not negatively impact learning. The same could surely be said for the admin.

Instead, what I expect (and the NASD and teachers’ Union probably does too) is that a large number of parents will both want all day k (saves day care costs and sounds like it will be beneficial) and smaller class sizes. Once the complaints roll in, the NASD will say they were listening to the will of the people, and they’ll hire new teachers out of ‘necessity’.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

"All Night Band Show!!!!!"...

Received via Facebook:

Event: All Night Band Show!!!!!

Start Time: Saturday, May 8 at 5:00pm

End Time: Sunday, May 8 at 11:00pm

Where: Insomniak Theatre

To see more details click here.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Dream Kids request: HELP US GET THE WORD OUT!!!

Wanted to share this note with everyone:

Dream Kids friends and family!!!,

 

Help us get the word out to raise donations for "Penn State Alumni Scholarship Fund" as well as our beloved "Dream Come True".  We are launching into our 15th year of commitment, community service and dedication to young people by performing for others!    I continue to marvel at the folks out there who "believe" in our kids and are 100% engaged in following them, supporting them and donating to a wonderful cause! 

 

You hear so much bad about the world and hear is a good story.  Great kids who are talented beyond belief and are willing to share it with others.  Most of these kids could be out making their own money, but they choose to give of themselves. They are the future leaders of the Lehigh Valley and beyond.  When Penn State Alumni contacted us after hearing "our kids" and wanted them to help them raise funds for Penn State Alumni, we were proud to say the least!!!

 

Please consider coming out Tuesday June 22nd at the Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley, PA to hear our "little" concert!  We would be grateful for not only supporting our Dream Kids and their platform, Dream Come True.....but also to the folks at Penn State to help them fund their scholarship, which benefits young people as well!  

 

This is an important year for Dream Kids as we begin to launch our personal fundraiser to get our young people to Florida to perform at "Give Kids the World" and Downtown Disney.  We will be launching our $20 challenge shortly.  Please keep the group in your thoughts and prayers.  It has become very difficult (in today's society, where there is so much going on) to keep a group as positive as this going on this length of time. We continue to thank God, our family, friends and definitely the community for their continued support to keep this group going and growing.  Love and praise to all!!!

 

Candy, Scott and ALL THE DREAM KIDS!!!

www.thedreamkids.com -- see some of our new pics and our recently produced CD (just in time for the patriotic season!!!)

 

PS....there are a limited # of tickets and "per Penn State" they expect a sell out.....so get your tics NOW!!!! by e-mailing me back or calling my cell 610-751-7944, Candy

 

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Temp Signal in Stockertown

The Express-Times reports that a temporary signal will be installed in Stockertown beginning Wednesday when PADOT begins bridge repair work (read the article here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Photos from the Derby

Thanks to those that sent photos.

Bob posted just over 100 to Flickr. You can see them here:

And I’m going to post some on the Facebook page that were sent in by others.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Adult Soap Box Derby

Yesterday, the people’s derby was in Nazareth at the 3^rd Annual Adult Soap Box Derby Race.

The Express-Times has an article on the event (read it here) and a list of the winners (here).

Wasn’t able to get there this year due to my work schedule, so if you have photos to share send them to me and I’ll post them: editor@newsovercoffee.com

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Movement Theater School

Received this announcement and wanted to share it with everyone:

Open House for a Nazareth Pa Movement Theater Dance & Theater Arts School

Movement Theater, 2 Belvidere St, Nazareth Pa., located in the Kula Heart Yoga Center, will host an Open House and Registration from 2-4PM, Sunday, May 23 2010.

Conveniently located across from Nazareth Furniture the non-recital Movement Theater is for ages 3 to adult. The school offers these classes: Dance, Music Theater, Zumba, Together Time (for Mommy & Me), along with a Summer Performing Arts Camp.

The Movement Theater Summer Camp provides multiple activities and training. Camp activities include Dance, Music Theater, Yoga, and Art for kids 4-13 years.

All Movement Theater instructors hold degrees in their respective disciplines.

Come see what the Movement Theater is all about at the May 23^rd Open House and enjoy refreshments, prizes, free demos and tours.

For more information see the Movement Theater web site www.movementtheater.net or call the Directors Office at 610.248.9185.

For more information about this news release please contact: Colleen Samsel, Director Movement Theater, Telephone 610.248.9185, or by e-mail director@movementtheater.net

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Man Arrested for Shoplifting at Target

A man was arrested for shoplifting at Target and the store provided images of the same man they say shoplifted three previous times according to articles in both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Missing Man Found

The Express-Times reports the man who went missing after dropping his son and daughter in law off at work at Gracedale has been found (read the article here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Chamber Golf Outing

The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 10^th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing in conjunction with the Slate Belt Chamber on June 7 at Woodstone in Danielsville according to an article from the US via the Express-Times (read it here).

The article notes, “We currently have openings for golfers. You can either register as a foursome, a pair or a single golfer. We are also seeking businesses to donate prizes for the golfers. Every golfer will receive a prize.”

Call the chamber office at 610-759-9188 if you are interested in participating or sponsoring this event.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker