Marco Ready for 5th Season

The Morning Call has an article on Marco Andretti, who is preparing for his 5^th season competing in IndyCar on his father’s team (read the article here).

The IZOD IndyCar Series had an open test at Barber Motorsports Park this week.  Marco’s father, Michael, took over full ownership of the team at the end of last season and changed the name to Andretti Autosport.  The team will be sporting chrome noses on each of the four cars piloted by Marco, Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

The season opens on March 14 in Sau Paulo, Brazil.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Sentence Includes Book Report

The Morning Call reports that an Upper Nazareth man was found guilty of misdemeanor theft for stealing $3700 worth of flooring material from a company he was working for (read the article here).

Judge Kimberly McFadden, apparently found the man’s name amusing, Twist, and asked if he had any relatives named Oliver.  She then tacked onto the sentence a requirement to write a book report on Dicken’s Oliver Twist.  Failure to do so will result in a parole violation.

Maybe it’s me, but this type of action doesn’t seem right.  Judges can pretty much do what they want and while there is no harm done in this case, it does seem a bit arrogant.  What do you think?

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Center for the Arts Scheudle Update

The What’s Your Hedgehog presentation scheduled for tonight at the Nazareth Center for the Arts has been postponed.

The Little Red Rooster Band is scheduled for Saturday (not Sunday as was reported in one area publication).

Mark Prestifilippo will perform on Friday, March 5 (his show was postponed yesterday).

For other show information visit www.nazaretharts.com

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

About the Nazareth Area Chamber

The Express-Times has an article from the US Weekly on the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce (read it here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Grady Out of Idol

When the American Idol contestants were split into groups it became apparent that Nazareth’s Tyler Grady was going to have a tough go as at least three one thought would have gone were all in the group opposite him.

I have to agree with Grady’s comment that if the judges felt his style needed changing they ought to have mentioned it prior to going on the live stage, but at the end of the day, it was the votes that counted and unfortunately he hadn’t tallied enough of them.

Both the Morning Call and Express Times have several stories:

• Morning Call notes he didn’t get a whole lotta love
• Morning Call carried an ap story that includes Grady’s comment that he felt the constructive criticism given this week ought to have come during Hollywood week when he could have incorporated it
• The Express-Times has an article on students watching at Nazareth HS

Congrats to Grady for being the first area contestant to make it to the round of 24.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Schools Closed- Friday, February 26, 2010

From: Nazareth Area School District [mailto:webmaster@nazarethasd.org] Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 10:08 AM
To: Subscriber
Subject: Schools Closed- Friday, February 26, 2010

Important Notice: The Nazareth Area School District will be closed on
Friday, February 26, 2010.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Center for Arts Show Postponed

The Mark Presti Show scheduled for this evening at the Nazareth Center for the Arts has been postponed due to the snow.

The show will be held on Friday, March 5.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

"Insomniak Theatre Company Events"

Insomniak Theatre Company

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

OPENS NEXT WEEK!!!!!! Reserve your tickets NOW!!!!!! This courtroom drama takes place in purgatory where a gypsy lawyer comes to
the defense of the bible's most notorious villain, Judas Iscariot. The
complex reasons behind Judas's betrayal and subsequent suicide and their
meaning in historical context have been debated for centuries. The commonly
held Christian belief is that Judas and his actions represent the ultimate
Sin. But do they?

This production will bring to the forefront arguments on all sides of the
Judas debate as we hear from giants of history...Sigmund Freud, Mother
Teresa, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas the Elder, and a band of Angels, Saints and
average humans and even Satan himself.

Warning: This show contains strong language and subject matter.

Tickets $15 Adults
$12 Students/Seniors

Call (610) 759-7000
or visit http://www.facebook.com/l/30864;www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Directed by Matthew Meckes
Assistant Directed by Aaron Connors

Stage Manager: Aaron Connors
Sound Board Operator: Corinne Schmidt
Light Board Operator: David Perez
Set Construction: John Meckes Costume Design: Jen Santos
Make-up Design: Rose Noel CAST:
Andrew Chupa: Butch Honeywell
Christopher Laevey: Judge Littlefield
Colins 'Bear' Regisford: Pontius Pilate
Craig Baenziger: Sigmund Freud/St. Matthew
David Wanamaker: Bailiff/St. Thomas
Gregory Paradis: Jesus of Nazareth
Jeffrey Daniel Denger-Huff: Matthias of Galilee/Caiaphas the Elder/Soldier 1
Jen Santos: Satan
Jesse Simpson: Yusef El-Fayoumy
Laura Romano: St. Peter/Simon the Zealot/Soldier 2
Lauren 'Saky' Satkwitch: Fabiana Aziza Cunningham
Marie Steeger: Mother Teresa
Melissa Miller: St. Monica/Soldier 3
Michelle Rieder: Loretta/Mary Magdalene/Sister Glenna
Peter Sikalias: Judas Iscariot
Rebecca Serfass: Henrietta Iscariot
Tatiana Torres: Gloria

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Tyler Grady - Did you vote?

Nazareth resident Tyler Grady had a ‘memorable’ performance during American Idol, but was criticized for style over substance.  Two boys and two girls get voted off tonight.  MTV has a complete rundown of last nights show (available here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Schools Closed- Thursday, February 25, 2010

=From: Nazareth Area School District [mailto:webmaster@nazarethasd.org] Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 10:28 AM
To: Subscriber
Subject: Schools Closed- Thursday, February 25, 2010

Important Notice: The Nazareth Area School District will be closed on
Thursday, February 25, 2010.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Martin Guitar Donates $20k Guitar to Christies inaugural "Green Auction"

Received a release regarding a donation by Martin Guitar, most of it is included below.  Peter Cree, who did significant work on the guitar now lives in Nazareth.  You can view more of his work on his web site:  http://www.creestudios.com/ and on his Facebook fan page. 

C.F. Martin & Co. has donated a rare 000 12-fret Peter Cree Certified Wood Guitar to Christie’s International, the world’s leading art business, for their upcoming “A Bid to Save the Earth” Green Auction. This first-of-its-kind charity auction will take place on April 22, 2010 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Proceeds from the sale will be divided among four leading not-for-profit environmental organizations: Conservation International, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Central Park Conservancy. All four beneficiary organizations are 4-Star rated by CharityNavigator.org, its highest rating for not-for-profit organizations.

Estimated in value at $20,000, the one-of-a-kind Martin Custom Shop 000 12-fret Peter Cree Certified Wood Guitar features original Southwestern artwork executed in hand-applied colored lacquers by renowned painter/sculptor Peter Cree. Known for developing and incorporating a decorative finishing technique intended for high-quality acoustic instruments, Cree’s work has been highly sought-after across the country for his creation of new pieces, as well as his expert restorations of fine art and instruments.

Constructed with 100% Certified tonewoods from ecologically well-managed forests, the 000 12-fret Peter Cree Certified Wood Guitar features Chechen headplate, back and sides; a four-piece Adirondack top; Katalox fingerboard and bridge; cherry neck, front and rear block; basswood ribbon linings and braces; and artistic inlays of Micarta, cherry and turquoise.

“For nearly two decades, we at Martin Guitar have been devoted to pioneering a movement of ecological responsibility within the guitar industry,” said Chris Martin IV. “C.F. Martin & Co. is proud to have contributed such an artistically creative and ecologically symbolic instrument in support of charitable environmental initiatives through this special Christie's auction.”

Held at Christie’s, Rockefeller Center, New York and carried live globally via Christie’s LIVE™ on www.christies.com, The Evening Sale will be a star-studded event with top celebrities serving on the Green Auction Host Committee that includes: Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Tobey Maguire, François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Bob Fisher, Candice Bergen, Ed Norton, Evelyn Lauder, Alec Baldwin, Zaha Hadid, Brooke Shields, and Matt Lauer. Additional lots for auction will include major works from artists, coveted celebrity experiences, upscale eco-vacations and exquisite jewelry.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Nazareth Rotary Art Auction

Received this email and wanted to forward it for everyone to see:

The Rotary Club of Nazareth is having an Art Auction at the Holy Family Club on Saturday, March 13, 2010.  The preview begins at 6:30, and the auction begins at 7:30.  Tickets are $15/person, or $25/couple.  There are complimentary Hors D’oeuvres and a cash bar.  It is a very fun night even if you do not purchase anything.  Come on out and enjoy a great evening!

The proceeds go toward helping local organizations such as the Nazareth Food Bank, Nazareth Memorial Library, and the Nazareth YMCA, as well as many others in our Nazareth community. 

If you’d like to purchase tickets, email editor@newsovercoffee.com and I’ll connect you with a Rotary member you can purchase tickets from.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

SMS DEP Violations being Appealed

Steel Management Systems (SMS) formerly Encor Coatings in Upper Nazareth was fined by the DEP for environmental violations dating back to 2001.  Now the company is appealing the fines according to an article in the Morning Call (read it here).

The appeal is based on being held accountable for previous ownership, however, the leadership team is virtually the same.

The article notes:

On Jan. 8, DEP fined SMS $58,297 for air quality violations dating to 2001, including operating without a permit, exceeding pollution limits and failing to pay emissions fees and the $12,883 balance of a 2002 DEP fine.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Thank You!

Received this note for publication and wanted to share it with everyone:

I just want to thank the community for coming out to the Used Children’s Book & Movie Sale this past Saturday.  Through your donations, we raised about $1450 for families with children fighting Leukemia.

We plan to have additional sales in the future.  If you would like to be put on a distribution list for future sales, please email Cheryl at leukemiasale@yahoo.com.

Cheryl Termini

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Zoning Hearing Board Tonight in LNT

A resident of LNT received a notice of a zoning hearing board meeting tonight (2/23) in regard to a tract of land that was originally farmland (agriculture) and was changed to residential to become a 55+ development.

The property is owned by Trio Farms and Ashley Development, which is requesting to drop the 55+ age restriction, and this is being discussed at the meeting tonight.

Initially, the plan called for 440 units consisting of apartments, townhouses, and single family dwellings; the developers would bring the sewer and water to the development; and owners would have a 55+ age restriction.

The ‘notice’ was not an official notice from the township, but from some unnamed source that opposes the dropping of the age restriction on the basis that school taxes will increase.

I’ve often wondered why nearby Palmer, Hanover and Bethlehem Townships have benefited from 55+ communities, and NASD did not.  Typically, these communities are a big win for local government.  The developer creates a ‘closed’ community with roads and amenities like tennis courts, pool, club house, etc.  The community is managed by a neighborhood association, which is responsible to maintain the properties including roads, so the township benefits from the taxes without having to invest in the road maintenance, plowing, etc.  The schools also benefit because the taxes for the property come with a guarantee of no new students.

Dropping the 55+ requirement would allow for people with children to move in and thereby potentially increase the burden on the school system.

At the current time, the NASD has a severe issue with HS enrollment.  On the other hand, the new MS is half-full with sections closed down altogether, the IS does not have an enrollment problem, and the three elementary schools just had two grade levels removed from each providing them with plenty of room in each building.  In short, our school facilities are mostly under-utilized, so additional students won’t be a problem except at the HS level and with declining enrollment at the lower grades, it may not get worse, but maintain current levels.

It will be interesting to learn of the outcome of this meeting.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Weekly Blogosphere Round-Up

I think winter has everyone down a bit, as even our normally prolific blogging community had less to say this past week than normal.  As a matter of fact, Lehigh Valley Ramblings may have written more than all of the rest of us combined.

Andy’s Fan Page has a lot of articles on the basketball league championships for both boys and girls.

Center for the Arts has a post on their upcoming shows for this week, Mark Prestifilippo on Thursday (free admission), Dr. Jarrod Spencer on Friday (free admission – outside promoter), and The Little Red Rooster Band has two shows on Saturday ($10 per ticket). 

Clonehenge featured snowhenges.

Steaming Cup has a post on a pretty ridiculous story out of NJ, but his point is not about a well intentioned rule that has unintended consequences, instead it is about how a school responded to an infraction of said rule.  Cup’s point is well taken, schools are role models and the actions of school officials will be noticed by students, therefore they ought to do the right thing.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings has a few posts on the latest Ron Angle flap, several on Lehigh County Commissioners appointments and meetings, and the expected run down on all things Northampton County Government based.

Tatamy Happenings reports that the 33 ramp to Tatamy Road received the blessing of County Council, and that a long unused safe in Tatamy was securely holding nothing.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Morning Call features Grady

The Morning Call has a feature article on Nazareth’s Tyler Grady who this past week made it to the top 24 on American Idol (read the article here).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker