Police Merger Discussions Continue

In conducting its due diligence regarding options for police coverage in the borough, Nazareth Council has reached out to Colonial Regional, Upper Nazareth, and Bushkill regarding any possibilities to merge according to the Express-Times (read it here).

Nazareth considered this option four or five years ago and elected to remain with its own force. Consequent cost increases coupled with a current staff of three active full-time officers, have Council again reviewing options.

The latest article by the Express-Times is primarily focused on current Chief Trachta’s desire to have all part-time officers retained along with the current three full-time officers (we typically have 6). He also wanted to maintain 24 hour two person coverage.

And that is where I think the heart of the matter lies. If we enter into an agreement for coverage, we want to maintain a regular presence in the borough, share the overhead costs, and have additional support if necessary. For me those are the key elements, more than where the office is physically located. I don’t want an officer ‘on duty covering the borough’ to actually be in East Allen Township or some other area. I want them remaining in the borough.

What do you think?

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

UNT Supervisors Meeting

The Express-Times reports on the recent Upper Nazareth Township Supervisors meeting (read it here).

In the news again, the 4^th Street entrance to the intermediate school. Originally, this entrance was to connect the HS and MS (now IS) lots in a straight line between the buildings.

The 4^th Street entrance to the HS has been open for many years. The 4^th Street entrance to the IS is adjacent to the more recently developed Farmview Estates and residents there have complained about its use since the building opened in 2000.

First the school re-routed most buses away from the entrance, then it installed a remote activated gate. Now the Supervisors are drafting an ordinance to make it illegal to use the entrance.

I have to wonder why this particular entrance poses such a significantly greater risk to pedestrians or residents than the other entrance by the HS, or along Victory Lane by Shafer and the HS, the Gardens by the new MS entrance, along Center Street or at the corner of Belvidere and Liberty by Shafer?

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Thoroughbred Horse Facility

The Express-Times reports that a thoroughbred horse facility may be coming to Bushkill Township (read the article here).

The 60 acre facility would feature a track, up to 6 barns, and could hold as many as 100 horses. The facility would be located off Jacobsburg south of House on the Rock Church

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Art Supply Sale

NEW EVENT FOR NAZARETH CENTER FOR THE ARTS

THE PAINT BOX ART CLUB will hold their first ART SUPPLY SALE  on Saturday, April 9th from 10 AM TILL 4 PM at the Nazareth Center for the Arts, 30 Belvedere Street,
Nazareth PA 18064.

Members of the PAINT BOX ART CLUB will be selling their new, nearly new and gently used art suppllies including books, frames, paints and much more.  This sale is open to the
public.  Admission is free. 

This is a great opportunity for students and aspiring artists to purchase art supplies well below cost. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the NAZARETH CENTER FOR THE
ARTS.

The Center is located at 30 Belvidere Street in Nazareth between Main and Broad. The Paint Box Art Club holds its monthly meetings at the Center, next event is Tuesday, April 26, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Annual Why NASD Should Participate in the Freddy's

The NASD Theatre Troupe refuses to participate in the annual Freddy Awards at the State Theater. We are essentially the only school that doesn’t participate.

The Express-Times’ Joe Owens annually writes about the fact that Nazareth doesn’t and he did so again this year (read it here).

Personally, I feel for the kids who believe they are doing something right and good by not participating, because they are missing out on something great.

The program recognizes productions from across the Valley, offers scholarships and internships, and most importantly allows each participating group the opportunity to share and be a part of the greater performing arts community forging lifelong friendships that wouldn’t otherwise occur. For those who say sports get everything, the Freddy’s television coverage is better than any local HS sporting event thanks to the live broadcast on Channel 69. I wrote about the broadcast previously (read it here).

This awards show has turned into the premiere HS theater event in the Valley and I’d imagine there aren’t too many like it across the country. We are fortunate to have it in our region, which makes it all the more disappointing to see our district snub it.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Borough Sanctions Open Mic

The Nazareth Borough agreed to sanction the Open Mic at the Internet Café according to an article in the Express-Times (read it here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

District XI Wrestling Hall of Fame

On Sunday night former Nazareth HS teacher Darwin Brodt and former Blue Eagle wrestler Ryan Nunamaker (for those not in the know, Ryan is my brother and I’m probably not being partial here;-) were inducted into the District XI Wrestling Hall of Fame during a banquet that also honored the year’s top wrestling scholar athletes.

While Brodt coached the Nazareth Junior High team for several seasons (he became coach my 8^th grade season), his induction was primarily due to his career at Easton where he won the 1974 State Championship.

Nunamaker became only the 2^nd Blue Eagle wrestler inducted, following national champion Rob Rohn. Nunamaker was recognized for his competitive and coaching career in which he was a three time state medalist, won the state title his senior season and lost his junior year in overtime to eventual 4x champion Bobby Crawford (who also defeated our Dan Tashner in their senior season). Ryan was a 3x NCAA qualifier and 2x ACC Runner-up. Twice in the ACC tournament he lost to TJ Jaworsky(during his 3^rd and 2^nd place runs), an eventual 3x NCAA champion and considered one of the best collegiate wrestlers of all time.

Last season, Nunamaker coached Parkland to its first District XI individual tournament championship and the first by a Lehigh County school in AAA or the pre-split era since 1967 when Allen represented the county. Ryan’s Trojans went on to finish 2^nd in the team championships that season. The year after Allen’s district victory, Ryan’s father Ray won his first District XI team title for Nazareth.

This season, the Trojans finished 5^th in the PIAA Individual Championships with two finalists and they finished 2^nd in the Northeast Regionals with the most finalists and qualifiers.

Joining Brodt and Nunamaker in the 2011 class was former Northampton star Chad Billy and long-time official Tony Phillips.

Winning the AAA Scholar Athlete Award was Parkland’s Michael Ottinger, coached by Nunamaker, and the AA Award went to Saucon Valley’s Ian Gimbar.

Many thanks to all of the alumni of District XI, coaches, officials and fans of the sport for putting on such a great event.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Track Team Breaks Decade Old Streak

Thanks to the reader who pointed out that last week’s boys track meet victory by Nazareth over Parkland ended a Trojan win streak that began in 2001.

The Morning Call has an article on the meet and record here.

Congratulations to the team and best of luck throughout the rest of the season and into the post-season.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Upcoming Events at the Center

Visit the Nazareth Center for the Arts (www.NazarethArts.com) for one of our upcoming shows (and don’t forget open gallery hours and art classes)! Tickets are available at Mitch’s Market, through our web site, and at the door. Parking is available at KNBT and Lafayette Ambassador Banks on show nights. The Center is located on Belvidere Street between Main and Broad.

The Who Knows Band

Saturday, April 2, 2011 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Keith Naylor (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar) comes from a folk and rock roots, Jack Boyer (percussion and vocals) plays swing, rock, country, blues, Latin, and reggae, Dale Barth (violin virtuoso), Chuck Kagel (bass guitar), and Allan Cook, The Dr. of Funk, Jive, Jazz & Junk a.k.a.   "The One Man Horn Section" comprise the Who Know Band. Expect to hear songs from a range of musicians from the Beatles and Clapton to the Allman Brothers and Skynard. Their song lists includes Matchbox 20, Paul Simon, the Talking Heads, Dave Matthews, Dire Straits and many more. Tickets $10.00

Linda Stockman Berkowitz

Sunday, April 3, 2011 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

April Gallery features Linda Stockman Berkowitz who does wildlife paintings and Mike Dlugos who does hand carved and painted decoys. The show will run from April 1st to the 26th.

Mark Presti

Thursday, April 7, 2011 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Mark Prestifilippo, a.k.a. Presti, is a guitarist/singer from Nazareth who plays a range of music including rock, pop, and country.  True to the area's musical heritage, he might even through in a polka! Free Admission, donations suggested.

Dawnchasers

Friday, April 8, 2011 | 8:00 - 9:30

From Kutztown, the Dawnchasers blend R & B with a modern sound including many incluences. Listen to their music and watch some videos here. Free Admission, Donations Suggested.

Adelante

Saturday, April 9, 2011 | 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Music Without Boundaries Fusing Jazz-World-Roots-Classical-Funk-Ambient-Electronica-Trance An Eclectic Musical Melange features:  J. Jody Janertta-drums/percussion, Paul "Woz" Woznicki-synths/flute and harmonica and Steve Testa-bass. Listen to music and learn more here. To experience the music of Adelante is to be taken on an aural journey that touches mind, body and spirit. The music of Adelante is rooted in the improvisational approaches of Modern Jazz and Classical Music. Adelante creates a musical brew that knows no musical boundaries…relishing in the challenge, that all musical styles can be complimentary and weaved together to create something musically and sonically beautiful, new and unique. Tickets $10.00

Gabe Toth

April 15, 2011 | 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Cruise Ship, Professional Touring Company and Broadway musician/singer, Gabe Toth, returns to the Center for a home town performance! When Gabe is not in New York City or Nashville, he is often entertaining for Princess and Holland America Cruise Lines or working with students at the Centenary Stage Company.

Free Admission, $10 Donations Suggested.

Gar Francis

Saturday, April 16, 2011 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Gar Francis. Gar has been performing and entertaining audiences for years. He plays 60s hits, blues, and Americana. As a singer/songwriter, Gar has received awards for songwriting from The John Lennon Song Contest, the Unisong Music Awards, and an Honorable Mention in the Billboard Song Contest. Tickets $10.00

Soundscapes Concert Series

Sunday, April 17, 2011 | TBA

Show details TBA

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

NASD Admin to Accept Raise

The Morning Call has another article on the NASD 2011-12 budget deficit (read it here).

A few interesting points were made including:

“On the expenditures side, Lesky hasn't heard anything from the teacher's union on a wage freeze, but his administrative group has already agreed to hold their raises at 1.7 percent, the state index.”

The administration is taking a 1.7% raise, but asking the union to take none. Seems the Admin should be on a freeze right now too.

“But because the district also plans to accept seven retirements, Lesky hopes layoffs won't be necessary. "Those people do have certifications, and hopefully they will fit into all those areas," he said.”

The proposed seven positions being cut will not result in layoffs as there are seven retirements. Instead people will receive different assignments with the possible exception of the custodian.

It is mentioned that Drivers’ Education is being cut. This does provide a service, and one that is offered outside the school. Maybe instead of cutting the program, it could be structured in a different way – ie a fee based program supplemented or supported by some insurance companies. The school would offer administrative support, they get a car from Brown Daub as a service as I understand it, and we have certified instructors who are paid out of the fee not as a full-time position with benefits.

Will be interesting to watch moving forward as there remains a $1M deficit.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker