Hercules Fined by DEP

Following the fines Essroc received, Hercules has been fined by the DEP for a series of violations between 2006 and 2008 according to articles in both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here).

Emissions violations accounted for nearly $29,000, while the bulk of the $218,750 fine was for monitoring problems/lapses and delayed reporting.

Interestingly, the Express-Times article notes, “The department’s regional air quality program conducted more than 7,800 inspections since 2003 and collected $2.6 million in civil penalties that help support additional enforcement efforts.”

That works out to $333 in fines per inspection.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Jacobsburg Holiday Event

Adding to the things to do this Saturday related to the holidays is the Jacobsburg Historical Society’s “Victorian Christmas at Boulton” according to an article in the Express-Times (read it here).

According to the article, “Visitors can enjoy re-enactors dressed in period clothing, music, traditional food and activities throughout the John Joseph Henry House.”

Also on Saturday is the Nazareth Center for the Arts 3^rd Annual Holiday House Tour and the Christmas in Historic Downtown Nazareth (read previous post here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Post-Election Campaign Event

Senate candidate Joe Sestak will be at the Jacksonian Club on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. as a part of his post-election tour of PA according to the Express-Times (read it here). The article is actually a publication of a press release from Sestak, which states he will be visiting each county in PA to say thank you to voters. Sestak lost the election to the Valley’s Pat Toomey, but did defeat longtime Senator and politician Arlen Specter in the primary, after Specter switched parties.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Local Tax Hikes

The Express-Times reports on local municipalities and their budget approvals (read it here), and Nazareth Borough, along with Upper and Lower Nazareth have no tax hikes this year. The Borough has held taxes for five consecutive years. Bushkill Township will have an 8.3% increase.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Juveniles & Media

For a long-time juveniles were mostly protected from being named in the media when they were in trouble. This year some people took exception to the fact that Ryan Krecker and Franco Ferraina were under 18 and identified in the newspapers for trouble they had gotten into. People felt they were unfairly singled out because they were on the wrestling team, a high-profile sport at Nazareth.

The media responded stating that the names were released because they were initially charged with a felony, and that allowed them to include names by law.

More recently, a 15 year old from Nazareth, Tyler Transue, has been in the news. He choked out fellow student Max Wasilewski, also 15. The names of both boys have been included by both newspapers in each account I’ve read, before and after a judge heard the case.

I’ve seen no complaints that both names were included, and neither to my knowledge is involved in football, wrestling, or basketball.

Yesterday, the case was heard in juvenile court and reported in both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here).

Not surprising, Transue was found guilty of misdemeanor reckless endangerment and, probably more surprising, aggravated assault, which according to the articles is a felony. So, we now know why the name of the attacker was released, but I still don’t understand why the victim’s name was released.

In addition to the apparent change by the media to name minors, I’ve found that the advent of the internet and social media has generally lowered the standards of traditional media. I’ve literally cringed at some online headlines by respectable news organizations as they try to appeal to the ‘online’ audience.

Today, I was stunned to see that the Morning Call included with the article on the court hearing of Transue a clearly dated photo (turns out from 1990s) of two unknown pro wrestlers engaged in a choke hold. Pro wrestling is not real, it is entertainment. These kids didn’t learn a choke hold from pro wrestling, they learned it watching Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA is probably the fastest growing sport in the country and has replaced boxing as the most popular one on one combat sport. I’m surprised that the Morning Call didn’t respect the seriousness of this issue and incident, didn’t understand the context of the issue, and that they reported the victim’s name as a minor. The Express-Times also released the victim’s name, but at least didn’t include an image that mocked the entire issue and made light of it.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Happening Saturday in Nazareth

The Third Annual Holiday House Tour supporting the Nazareth Center for the Arts and “Christmas in Downtown Historic Nazareth” both take place this Saturday, December 11.

The House Tour features nine homes in the Nazareth area and each has art and music in addition to holiday décor. Featured this year in Nazareth are the homes of Keith and Janet Schlump, Jack Hommer, and Ron and Michelle Sibilia. In Bushkill, Barry and Mary Pritchard, Jim and Kelly Karch, Jake Seipel and Linda Ritter Shivek, Karl and Kathee Butz, and Tyrone and Laurie Klump. And in Stockertown, Ronald and Anita Smith. The Center will also be open and features the art work of Narda Zimmerman.  She is an international artist who paints in oils and acrylics from photos she's taken around the world.  Homes featured are modern, English manor, historic stone, contemporary, single family, traditional, and much more. Tickets are on sale at Copiers Inc., Donahoe Farms, Nazareth Floral, Missing Piece, online at www.nazaretharts.com (select box office), and on Saturday at the Center (located at 30 Belvidere between Main and Broad).

While spending the day in Nazareth, be sure to visit the downtown!

“Start a Family Tradition”

Christmas in Downtown Historic Nazareth

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Shops and restaurants open with holiday specials!

Carolers will be strolling and singing and bells chiming!

Visit the near-life size manger scene in Center Square!

Shopping the old- fashioned way at local merchants; who live here, work here, and raise their families here.

A charming, historic destination.

Christmas Candlelight Walking tour of Nazareth   7:00-10:00 p.m.

Seven wonderful destinations in historical Nazareth celebrating Christmas traditions!

Proceeds benefit the Moravian Historical Society

Tickets in advance-610-759-5070  (no rain date- no refunds)

·         Donahoe Farms Floral & Garden-"Grand Reopening!"(589 E. Lawn Rd.-Rte. 191) Featuring artist Fran Macdonald! Complimentary cider and kiffles! Many gift ideas for the holidays. Fine handmade furniture, Polish pottery, Nazareth pottery, local artisans!              610-746-9998

·         Moravian Gift Shop on the Commons- (175 W. North St.) A classic gift shop with gifts, ornaments, and Christmas cards.           610-746-1034

·         G.S. Oswald Jewelers- (48 E. Center St.) Beautiful, quality jewelry in diamond, genuine gemstones, pearls in 14KT. gold or silver. Christmas Sale: 20-50% off all jewelry and most orders!                  610-759-1760

·         Herbs to your Success -The Wellness Spa -(35 Belvidere St.) Craft Show, spa items, stocking stuffers, and skincare aroma readings.     Gift certificates available.                                                     610-365-8996

·         Jenn's Computer Training & Scrapbooking Center-  (101 S. Main St.)                        Card and gift makIng workshops. Make a free card & browse vendors gift certificate one-day special!www.JennsCenter.com   610-739-6353

·         Marisa's Boutique- (56 S. Main St.) New, upscale boutique without the cost! Jewelry, handbags, scarves, gifts! "Seeing with Style" (low vision aids). Book signing "Chicken Soup for the Soul."   610-725-1655

·         Missing Piece- (462 Bushkill Center Rd.) Two full floors of ever changing merchandise. Vera Bradley 15% off today! Chamilia bead promotion: buy 4 get 5th bead of lesser value free!          610-759-4033

·         Mycalyn Florals -(30 S. Main St.) Wide variety of Christmas gifts, decorating ideas, & floral arrangements!  Christmas lights, glitter & glitz…everything you need for the holiday spirit !             610-759-9060

·         Nazareth Floral Designs- (66 S. Main St.) See our Christmas showroom with great ideas for the holidays! Grave blankets, wreaths, pointsettia's, boxwood trees, table arrangements.         610-759-1900

·         Nazareth Music Center -(162 S. Main St.) Celebrating our 50^th Year! Music instruments & books, Martin guitars.            610-759-3072

·         Pie Shop & Kiffle Pantry -(20 N. Spruce St.) Warm up with cocoa and sample our goodies! Pies available to order for your holiday! Kiffles! Pierogies! "Pie Kits" make your own homemade pie!     610-759-4072

·         Porter's Lodge -(139 S. Main St.) Caskets: Free shipping on any casket, worth $200.00. Pre-purchase and free storage; 10% off all burial urns.                                                                          484-544-1812

·         R. D. Lambert Jewelers -(43 Belvidere St.) Celebrating our 91^st Year with 20-50% off fine jewelry, watches, pearls and gift items! See our new beads and accessories from Cheri Dori.             610-759-0450

·         Sheer Envy -(108 S. Main St.) Upscale salon featuring gift baskets and gift certificates. Offering custom spray tanning! Schedule your appointment for the holidays!                   610-365-8828

·         Victorian Salon Day Spa-(172 S. Broad St.) Gift certificates for Christmas for relaxing facials, body massage, manicures and pedicures in our grand 112 yr. old Victorian home!                            610-365-8557

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Food Drive for Holidays

ATTENTION NAZARETH AREA RESIDENTS

THE NAZARETH VIGILANCE HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 WILL BE COLLECTING NON-PERISHABLE FOOD GOODS IN FRONT OF THE NAZARETH FIRE HOUSE ON SATURDAY, DEC. 18 from 9-12noon.

ALL OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE GOING TO THE NAZARETH FOOD BANK TO HELP OUR 250+ FAMILIES IN THE NAZARETH AREA FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

PLEASE HELP US TO MAKE THIS AN ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR EVERYONE.

YOUR DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

On behalf of your Volunteer Fire Company, I would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday!

Carl Strye, Jr.

President, Vigilance Hose Company No. 1

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Library Bake Sale

Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity Will hold a Bake Sale on Dec 8-10, 2011

Donated bake goods may be brought to the Library Dec. 7-10, 2010  during regular hours

Thanks everyone for helping to make the event a  success.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Essroc Layoffs - Valley Unemployment Up

The Express-Times reports that Essroc has laid off 10% of its workers (read the article here). The cuts impacted 19 workers. The article also notes that three salaried positions were also recently cut.

The Morning Call reports that unemployment in the Lehigh Valley increased in October (read the article here) despite seasonal hirings in retail. Congress has not approved extending unemployment, and if they do not 5,500 people in the Valley will lose their benefits this month. Roughly half of the 15 million on unemployment have been out of work for six months or more.

The Harvard Business Review had an article in mid-November on the fact that high unemployment also means high overemployment, in short, those left working work more to account for the people laid off (read it here).

One must also factor under-employment, which is defined as taking part-time work instead of full time work, roughly 9% of the workforce is in this category and then there are those who took full time work well under their former pay, but better than part-time. I’ve not seen estimates on the size of this group.

Taken together, it is not a good job market and is going to be a challenging holiday season for many people. If you know someone who is out of work or under-employed, the best thing you can do is make a personal introduction. There are so many people applying for positions that having a contact is really the only way to stand out when hiring does occur.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Nativity in Story and Song

The Nativity in Story and Song

Christmas multi-media worship service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nazareth 

Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Nazareth will celebrate Christmas with a contemporary multi-media worship service on Saturday, December 18, at 5:30 p.m.  The Nativity in Story and Song features an instrumental ensemble of 20 musicians from the Lehigh Valley and an ecumenical choir of 20 voices under the direction of Ralph Brodt III, who is also the conductor of the Nazareth Area Community Band.  Familiar Christmas carols, as well as other music composed for the season will be presented in captivating and stirring arrangements for both orchestra and choir.  This  90-minute alternative worship service will be filled with instrumental offerings, choir anthems, solos, and congregational participation, as well as scripture, prayer, visual interpretation, and a brief message.  The community is cordially invited to attend.  A freewill offering will be received.  When was the last time Christmas music brought you to tears of joy?  Come and join us for an inspiring Christmas celebration! 

For more information, call (610) 759-3090.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

25th Annual Dream Come True Telethon

Reminder to those with RCN:

Attention RCN CABLE CUSTOMERS!

We know we are in a tough econmony right now but we would like you to reach in your pockets and give a dollar or more to help Dream Come True Tonight!

Special Day Monday!

Join us Monday  at the Westgate Mall in Bethlehem PA For the 25th Anniversity Dream Come True Telethon from 6pm-10pm as It will be LIVE ON RCN4 As Groups and Organzations will come with checks and state Representives like Steve Samuelson and Lisa Boscola and other politicans will be on hand!

Andy Weaver will be with the DreamKids!

They will have Andy's name on their yearly check they give!

Andy will also be holding a flag when they sing God Bless the USA!

2 Segments!

1 at 7pm and another one around 8pm!!

RCN Will look back in the years of the Telethon and show highlights from the last 25 years!

The Phone Number to call with money or anything you may have is 1-800-749-8099

Once Again, The Number is 1-800-749-8099

Auction Items too!

As Said Earlier this is the 25th Anniversity and we want to make this the most special Telethon Ever!!!

lDream Come True’s mission is to promote and enrich the lives of children who are seriously, chronically or terminally ill. We offer children with life threatening illnesses the chance to hope, dream and live their fantasies.

Our grassroots organization was founded by a vision. A vision to help children who have faced many difficulties in their young lives. Kostas Kalogeropoulos our founder dreamed of helping every child afflicted with a debilitating illness a chance to forget their problems. Fulfilling our first dream for a young girl afflicted with Cancer in 1984, 24 years later we have made a positive impact on 975 children.

Hope to hear from you and see you Monday!

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker