Wanted to share a medley from Trevor Gordon Hall's show on Friday night at the Nazareth Center for the Arts. The piece includes music from the Sound of Music, a selection by the Beatles, a bluegrass interlude, and ends with Frosty the Snowman. Enjoy!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Catching Up With: Nazareth Area High School state wrestling champion Brad Silimperi
Check out this website I found at lehighvalleylive.com
The Express-Times also had a piece on former Blue Eagle Brad Silimperi. A long-time teammate and friend, it has been great to see what Brad has accomplished as a coach, and his impact on the Nazareth wrestling program can't be under-estimated. Brad's state title was a watershed event that opened the flood gates for many others. Congrats to Brad for all his success on and off the mat.
Focused Thad Frick off to dominant start at East Stroudsburg University
Check out this website I found at lehighvalleylive.com
The Express-Times has a feature article on former Blue Eagle wrestler Thad Frick and the strong start to his senior season at ESU.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Center Show Postponed for Tonight
Unfortunately the Nazareth Center for the Arts Show scheduled for tonight featuring Matt Roach has to be postponed.New date and time information will be released as soon as possible.
NAEA Food Drive
Nazareth Area Education Association Donates to Nazareth Area Food Bank
The Nazareth Area Education Association (NAEA) has graciously showed their holiday and community spirit again by donating $3,180 to the Nazareth Area Food Bank for this holiday season. The NAEA consists of about 333 members representing teachers and staff from K-12 in the Nazareth Area School District. All money collected was sent to the Nazareth Area Food Bank which, in turn, purchased Ressler’s Market gift cards. These gift cards will be used to help over 352 local families in need throughout the holiday season. If you would like to support the Nazareth Area Food Bank, tax-deductible monetary donations can be made to: The Nazareth Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 178, Nazareth, PA 18064. Donations of non-perishable food items are also very appreciated. These donations are collected on Tuesdays from 6-7 PM and Fridays from 9-11 AM at 529 South Main Street, Nazareth, PA. If you have any questions, a representative of the food bank can be reached at 610-365-8869.
NASD Golf Team Fundraiser and Holiday Gift Idea!
A great Christmas gift for the golfer in your family!
Tee-Time Golf Pass
2012 Mid-Atlantic Edition
PA, VA, MD, DE, NJ, WV, NC & SC
$59.95
Supports the Nazareth High School Varsity and Sub-Varsity Golf Programs
Discounted greens fees at over 500 golf courses!
Free greens fees at 171 golf courses!
A few of the local participating courses include…
• Riverview
• Whitetail
• Southmoore
• Morgan Hill
• Berkleigh
• Wedgewood
• Allentown Municipal
• Bethlehem Municipal
• Willowbrook
• Iron Lakes
For a complete listing of participating courses visit www.teetimegolfpass.com/mid-atlantic
To order a golf pass book or for more information:
nazgolfbooster@gmail.com or call Dominick Condomitti 610-759-5168
Second Annual Wine and Chocolate Event
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Trevor Gordon Hall at the Center Tonight
Candyrat Records recording artist Trevor Gordon Hall returns to the Nazareth Center for the Arts to perform original and holiday music.Trevor is a guitar genius who took a perfectly good Martin Guitar and modified it so he could use it as a guitar, percussion, and keyboard instrument. He calls it a Kalimbatar. At times he'll play the neck of the guitar with one hand while playing the fingerboard with the other. If that isn't enough he sometimes uses foot pedals to record and loop music as he plays. His latest videos distributed through Candyrat have received over 200,000 views and thousands of favorable comments and likes.You can watch them here.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m., tickets $10.00, BYOB, parking available at Lafayette Ambassador and KNBT Bank parking lots. The Center is located at 30 Belvidere Street between Main and Broad in Nazareth.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m., tickets $10.00, BYOB, parking available at Lafayette Ambassador and KNBT Bank parking lots. The Center is located at 30 Belvidere Street between Main and Broad in Nazareth.
1st 20+ Comments on a Post
For the first time since NOC re-launched (3/28/06), I went over 20 comments when I posted a letter from the Nazareth Area Education Association, regarding the contract negotiations that led to a strike (read the post here)
In light of the strike controversy, I had more than a few posts hit 20 comments shortly thereafter, and one that drove it to heights unseen then or since, which I'll post about next time.Thanks again for reading, posting, sharing, and caring about what is genuinely a special community!
In light of the strike controversy, I had more than a few posts hit 20 comments shortly thereafter, and one that drove it to heights unseen then or since, which I'll post about next time.Thanks again for reading, posting, sharing, and caring about what is genuinely a special community!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Consideration for Others
Yesterday I was driving home after work and travelling on Main Street, north bound. In my lane, adjacent to GoodFellas and the Chinese Restaurant sat a Toyota Solara with its flashers on, double-parked. One car was able to get around, but the light changed and with oncoming traffic no one else was able to do so and we sat. A minute or so later, a man appeared between two parked cars carrying a bag of take-out food and got into the driver's side of the vehicle. Another minute or so later (I'd imagine in the interest of safety he was storing the food and buckling up properly) he turned the flashers off and proceeded to the light. We see people acting as if the world revolves around them all the time. Often they are oblivious to how rude they are even being, but yet when I see something like I did last night (at 5:40 pm) I remain incredulous.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Last Two Shows of 2011 - Friday and Saturday at the Center!
12 Days of Christmas Holiday Events (purchase tickets online):Trevor Gordon HallDecember 16, 2011 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.Trevor Gordon Hall returns to the Center to perform a mix of Holiday music and original works. The guitar virtuoso again brings his unique, 'experiential' sound to the Center. Trevor's pieces range in sound from edgy, driving rhythms (watch a portion of his version of Come Together performed when the Center just opened in 2010) to sweet melodic phrases. His signing with Candy Rat Records and subsequent release of new material on YouTube has earned over 100,000 views of his first single in less than two months, watch Kalimbatar. Learn more about Trevor at http://www.trevorgordonhall.com/ We will also be holding the drawing for the Martin Guitar on this evening. Tickets $10.00 Matt Roach Saturday, December 17, 2012 | 8:00 p.m.Rock, Pop, with a mix of Country and Comedy, the Philly native will be sure to entertain. Matt's music has received radio airtime both in the US and Europe and in addition to the many famed clubs along the East Coast where he has performed he's opened for some legendary performers including Marshall Crenshaw, Peter Tork, and The Alarm. Tickets $10.00 Art Classes are being offered monthly in 2011 - interested? email nazaretharts@gmail.com Stay up to date on all our upcoming events at www.nazaretharts.com |
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
NASD Offers Riker Package Worth $20K more than Avg Superintendent Pay
The Express-Times reports that the Nazareth Area School District has offered incoming Superintendent Dennis Riker a 4 year package worth $150,000 per year (read the article here) to start, which is $20,000 more than the state average. Outgoing Superintendent Vic Lesky earned $122,400 for his 2006-2007 contract (available here). At the time his pay was $15,000 higher than Whitehall-Coplay's Superintendent, which had 400 fewer students than Nazareth at the time (our enrollment has declined over the past three years) and Northampton's Superintendent was at $125,000 despite having 1100 more students (4700 vs. 5800 reported at the time). The article notes, "Bradley said Riker isn't entitled to personal days in his contract. His benefits package is “very similar to the old superintendent contract,” Bradley said."I find it hard to believe someone would receive no personal days in a given year, but then I looked at Lesky's contract in detail. Lesky was entitled to 25 vacation days, a minimum of 12 holiday days, 12 sick days, and 2 personal days. Further, he and his dependents receive fully paid medical, dental, vision, and prescription.So five years ago the Superintendent was given 51 days off, but only two were "personal" days. Plus he received fully paid healthcare benefits less a deductible, though the amount was not mentioned for himself and all dependents. I'd venture to guess that a family plan covering all of those items would be worth roughly $1600 a month and I know my prescriptions are typically $10, $30 or $50 when covered. So we're looking at another $20,000 plus in healthcare on top of the salary that many non-government and education workers would have to pay at least a portion of, out of their salary. Ironically, the article notes:
Considering the economic conditions, for a new person with limited experience I'd be paying less than the outgoing person with ten years experience in the same role. The goal of the contract ought to have been making it fair to the taxpayer, the people paying the bill. The recipient can always say no if they believe it is unfair. Unfortunately the taxpayer can not. Maybe this is why Bradley lost the primary election.
Bradley said the goal of the contract was to provide a fair package for Riker “as well as take into effect the current economic conditions as well as provide him with a prudent contract in the district to help us with current budget restraints.”
Considering the economic conditions, for a new person with limited experience I'd be paying less than the outgoing person with ten years experience in the same role. The goal of the contract ought to have been making it fair to the taxpayer, the people paying the bill. The recipient can always say no if they believe it is unfair. Unfortunately the taxpayer can not. Maybe this is why Bradley lost the primary election.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Early NOC Reflection
As noted, at the end of this month I'm going to be closing down NewsOverCoffee. While I continue to post on what is happening, I also wanted to take a look back.When I relaunched the site in 2006, I focused on Borough Council and then NASD. I wanted to start at the geographical heart and work outward to expand. My first regular posts came end of March and by April and May a couple people found the site and I'd get the stray comments. It was on August 8, 2006 that a post of mine drew more than 10 comments (11 in this case) and it was regarding "Community Pride" as a result of an increasingly contentious Council Committee's attempt to build a new Government Center in Nazareth. The comments are interesting to re-read five and a half years later, because it is clear from them that I was only then establishing the environment that currently exists on the site. It is always good to share and discuss and I'm glad to see how the site evolved. I'm also pretty good with what I wrote about the core topic this many years later with much more observation and experience. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive both publicly and behind the scenes.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Borough Holiday Activities Continue
From the Tree Lighting to Christmas there are many activities taking place in and around the Borough of Nazareth. This year the Nazareth Center for the Arts has twelve holiday events during this time. Last night the Large Flowerheads performed with Ellyot Ray opening. Today, the Holiday House Tour takes place, tickets are $20, and there are nine homes to visit plus the Center, each decorated for the holidays and featuring art and music. You can purchase tickets online and stop at the Center to pick up your booklet and map. Tonight, the Center presents Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer joined by Brian Bortz and Tom Pilyar. Tomorrow, the PA Guitar Quintet performs a matinee beginning at 3:00 p.m. The Candlelight Walking Tours presented by the Moravian Historical Society also take place this evening beginning at 7:00 (call 610-759-5070 for info) as does the Jacobsburg Historical Society's Christmas at Boulton from 11-3:00 p.m. And, unique to our area, the annual Peace Pilgrimage walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem takes place. This is the 52nd year of the event, you can learn more at www.peacewalk.org
Thursday, December 08, 2011
NASD Board Vacancy
Received a request from NASD to post this announcement. This is to fill a vacancy, not to run for office as a candidate.
NOTICE
NOTICE
School Board Director – An open seat exists on the Nazareth Area
School District Board of Directors. Qualified candidates must reside
in Region II, which is comprised of Lower Nazareth Township and the
Eastern Election District of Upper Nazareth Township. The term of
office will be from January, 2012 through November, 2012. Interested
persons should email a letter of interest and resume on or before
December 20, 2011 to Dr. Victor D. Lesky, Superintendent of Schools - at
vlesky@nazarethasd.org. Please include a daytime phone number.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Christmas Caroling
One of the great things about living in Nazareth is how we embrace the holiday season. Candlelight walking tours, nativity scenes, lights, concerts, house tours, luminaries, and many keep candles in their windows year round to celebrate. I came across an invite on Facebook about a group of residents who are going caroling on December 16 from 6:30 until 10:00 pm. They are meeting at Copiers Inc and heading out from there. You can learn more here. In advance, thanks to all of those participating for making the holiday in Nazareth something special!
Friday, December 02, 2011
Patch Birthday
Nazareth's Patch turned one yesterday, happy birthday. I know some readers who have used the site because I see their name there;-) but I'm sure others have little to no idea what Patch is. So I'll tell you a bit about it, give some opinion, and share a post from NOC's day 1 back in 2006. Well, Patch is like NOC. Actually, it is kind of exactly like what I thought could be accomplished when I first thought of it. NewsOverCoffee was going to be the brand, and communities across the country that didn't have daily newspaper coverage focused on them would post about local events. Ideally, there would be many contributors including those from groups and organizations. For this reason, it is called NewsOverCoffee: Nazareth Edition. What I learned was that most people don't want to contribute, they just want to find out what is going on, and for as much as the local markets were touted as being untapped, the reality was most local businesses for a variety of reasons, weren't interested. As such, there isn't much of a business model for placeblogging. I've written about Patch quite a bit on my personal blog. Patch is owned by AOL, and AOL is currently subsidizing the site as there are both technical and human costs, specifically, each local area has a paid editor and there are freelance fees paid. I know at least for this area, it is unsustainable. I was surprised to see three local ads today on Patch. Mostly I've seen national ads delivered locally. Patch organizes itself around a 'community' which appears to be a very loose definition and then some content is shared amongst sites. I looked at the 13 day period from November 20 to December 1 and the site published on averager four posts per day. In reviewing these posts 58% are specific to Nazareth and 42% are general or regional but not specifically about the NASD area. Long and short, readers won't be left hanging when I close show on 12/31/11, there will continue to be sources of local information. March 26, 2006 was my relaunch and on that day I made a few posts including this: "How To Use NewsOverCoffee". It has changed quite a bit from then, but with daily publications focused online and so many people connected socially, maybe the need is going away for placeblogs as people can ask, share, and get the answers they are looking for. What do you think?
Upper Nazareth Zoning Board rejects plan by developer to shrink properties at RedCliffe Estates
The Upper Nazareth Township Zoning Hearing Board Wednesday night rejected a developer's plan to build homes smaller than those approved in the RedCliffe Estates development.
Developer DeLuca Homes sought permission to build 68 new homes on 20-foot-wide lots versus 24-foot-wide ones in the development started six years ago on Westminster Way, Neville Way and Penfield Way.
DeLuca faces financial difficulties. Tom Doyle, director of land development for DeLuca, told the board no buyer has shown interest in the property in more than two years, although builder Ryan Homes expressed interest in finishing it if the lot sizes were smaller.
The board unanimously rejected the variance.
About 10 RedCliffe Estates residents raised concerns that smaller lot sizes would have resulted in lowered property values, less parking and changing the continuity of an existing development.
"My concern to the zoning board is how are these smaller homes going to affect the value of our homes?" resident Becky Palen asked. "I'm just afraid the value of my home, which I plan to sell in five years, is not going to be there."
Westminster Way resident Kevin Hoffman argued the residents had bought homes in a "planned community" and had relied on continuity.
"Everything has to be the same. How are you going to maintain that?" he asked.
Doyle said the planned community would not change and deck sizes in the development already vary. He said the same rules would continue to apply to Ryan Homes.
Westminster Way resident Teresa Montero-Newman wasn't convinced.
"We bought into this planned community and now they're changing the plan on us, they're just telling us what's in their best interest, not in our best interest," she told the board. "The minute you start building these new houses, we're done. There's no place to park."
The variance rejection was a victory for the RedCliffe Estates residents who have been battling DeLuca Homes and Rouse/Chamberlin Homes for months over flooding issues.
Doyle said following the meeting he was disappointed in the board's decision and is unsure of the next step for DeLuca Homes and RedCliffe Investors.
My advice to RedCliffe Estates: offer them a Park, you'll get your variance plus perpetual advertising.
PIAA Football Playoffs
A message from the football booster club and HS Principal Davis:
Calling All Blue Eagle Football Fans!
This Saturday, December 3, the Nazareth Area High School Blue Eagles will depart from the high school at 10:30 a.m. as they travel to Bethlehem Area School District Stadium to play in the P.I.A.A. State Playoffs at 1:00 p.m.
Please come out and support the players and cheer them on as their buses leave town!
We need as many students, alumni, family, friends and community members as possible to line both sides of E. Center Street beginning at the corner of Victory Lane and continuing all the way to the corner of Broad Street on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. in order to send them off.
Wear blue and white, make a sign, make some noise and cheer for the Blue Eagles!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jimmy & Jimmy Show Postponed
Need to confirm, but it looks like January 6 will be reschedule date for this show.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Jimmy & Jimmy Postponed | |
12 Days of Christmas Holiday Events (purchase tickets online):The Jimmy & Jimmy Duo show scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed due to a family situation. We will announce a revised date as soon as possible.Nazareth Tree Lighting Ceremony | Jimmy & Jimmy DuoThursday, December 1, 2011Come in to Nazareth's Downtown for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which includes a visit from Santa and a present for the kids. Stop by the Center before or after to view artwork and purchase a raffle ticket to win a Martin Guitar & see the Jimmy & Jimmy Duo. Jimmy Jr. was recently named one of the top 12 "bad boys" of Tropical Rock! Jimmy & Jimmy DuoJimmy & The Parrots' Jimmy and Jimmy Maraventano return to the Center. They filled the Center last January bringing a touch of summer to the winter cold. Jimmy and Jimmy perform not only all the great Buffett songs you love, they also play new and classic rock ‘n roll, as well as outstanding original songs written. Their cover songs include favorites by the Beach Boys, Paul Simon, Jerry Jeff Walker, Harry Belafonte, and Bob Marley, among many others.Tickets $10.00 Four Artists Reception | |
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