Monthly Archives: June 2015

Jun 28 2015

Pottstown Rumble Pictures From Sunday, June 28, 2015

As they say, what a difference a day makes.  Much warmer and the sun was around.  We were actually getting hot sitting in Center Court watching semi-final matches.  The big drawback today was MUD, MUD, MUD.  We endured, despite the mud :).  Great time!

The Pottstown Rumble is a great event.  It showcases what’s best about Pottstown.  It’s well run, people behave themselves, the police were visible, more food than you can shake a stick at (I was told by a player how awesome that is).  Usually the players have to get their own food or maybe there are hot dogs. They felt this was a big plus.  Especially healthy Vegan cuisine courtesy of iCreate Cafe to keep those athletes in tip-top shape!

The Rumble is a great four day event that pumps a lot of money into the local economy and spreads good will about Pottstown.  Can’t put a price tag on good publicity!

Kudos to the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department for taking great care of one of the best assets in town, Memorial Park!

Jun 27 2015

Pictures From The Pottstown Rumble, June 27, 2015

It was a soggy day but hundreds of volleyball players and spectators jammed into Memorial Park, Pottstown.  The weather tomorrow is supposed to be much better so hopefully it will be a brighter day and no rain!  This was the third day of the Rumble.  Saturday and Sunday are the two biggest days of competition.

Jun 26 2015

Regardless Of Weather Saturday… Recycling Scrap Metal & Tires Is On At The Althouse Arboretum!

Saturday, June 27th, 9 am to 1 pm
Copper, aluminum, brass, steel and more.
No fee, all donations appreciated
(Please drop off only during recycling hours)

Volunteer Day
will be cancelled Saturday in case of rain. Come Sunday instead!

Anytime between 10am and 3pm
We can use your help trail blazing!

Library Storytime and Nature Hike – Rocks are Lively

Monday, June 29th 11am to 12:30pm
All Ages       Donation: $5
The Pottstown Library and the Althouse Arboretum will team up for this special program. Leslie Stillings, Director of Youth Services, will be our guest storytime reader. Afterwards, children will enjoy a short hike, guided by our staff, where they will climb rocks, explore the boulder field, and try their hand at “rock” experiments!  You can register here

Also…
We’re celebrating INTERNATIONAL MUD DAY this TUESDAY!
Free! You are sure to get messy on this day! Come anytime. Several activities will be set up for kids who like to get muddy. Build a castle in the wet sand or try out our mud walk! Warning to Parents: Be prepared for the ride home!

Jun 26 2015

PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA Presents Valley Vivaldi

Enjoy intimate Baroque compositions for strings, harpsichord, oboe and–this time–recorder.

Valley Vivaldi is the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra’s popular summer series of delightful chamber music concerts. In a visually beautiful and acoustically proper setting, an ensemble of nine accomplished musicians performs Baroque music with various combinations of instruments. The result is intimate, welcoming and uplifting. Meet and converse with the musicians and fellow patrons at the post-concert reception.

Sunday, June 28, 2015
at 7:30 pm
Christ Lutheran Church
1245 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA
free church parking lot across street, handicapped accessible
 
Vivaldi- Concerto in d minor for strings, RV 128
Telemann- Trio sonata in d minor for violin and recorder, TWV 42: d10

Rainer Beckmann, recorder

Bach- Trio sonata in G for two violins and cello
Vivaldi- Chamber concerto in g minor for recorder, oboe, violin and cello, RV 107
Albinoni- Violin Concerto in A

Simon Maurer, violin

Simon Maurer, violin
Inna Eyzerovich, violin
Stephani Bell, violin
Agnès Maurer, viola
Elizabeth Mendoza, cello
Nancy Merriam, bass
Rainer Beckmann, recorder
Cheryl Bishkoff, oboe
Allan Birney, harpsichord

Meet the musicians at our post-concert reception!
Click Here to Buy
Limited RUSH Tickets $12.00
Regular Prices: Adults $25 & $35 / Srs. 62+ $20 & $30/ Students $10 & $15

Rush tickets available online through the Lehigh Valley Arts Council
Please Note:* Rush ticket seating for this performance is in the rear rows of the sanctuary. Parking lot across the street. The church is handicapped accessible.

** Convenience fee of $2.50 is charged at checkout in addition to the price of a standard ticket (Total ticket price + convenience fee = $14.50)

For additional information, please visit PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIAORCHESTRA’s Website or call (610) 434-7811.

Lehigh Valley Arts Council
www.LVArtsCouncil.org ◊ www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org

Rush Ticketing is a service of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council.
For more information, visit:
www.lvartscouncil.org/RushTicketing.html

Jun 22 2015

Althouse Arboretum In the News

Connecting trail to Sussel Park is done! Now for your walking pleasure you can enjoy not only the Arboretum but Sussel Park too all in one walk. Lovely ponds at Sussel and good exercise walking the hill.

We now have a shed!Thanks to an Eagle Scout project the shed is finished and already being put to good use by our student interns. Lots going on!

Have you seen our ID Garden across from the shed? Created by student interns the garden will give you the names and show you the native plants you may see in the Arboretum.

Plant Sale. Next to the shed you’ll find a plant sale of mostly native, locally grown plants. If you want a quantity of any one plant contact Nancy. Prices are below what you find at the garden center and 100% of the proceeds go towards funding Arboretum projects.

Mark Saturday, September 26th in your calendar now. You’ll be glad you did. It’s the Arboretum’s Grand Opening Celebration and you’ll be amazed as what we have planned!

There’s a classroom in the woods. Can you find it?

Last chance to sign up for June’s Summer Camp! Starts Tomorrow!
Summer Camps 2015

Children grades K through 4th
June 22-26, 9am to 12pm –Nature Explorers
Learn about nature by exploring it! Campers become detectives looking for clues to reveal each day’s nature mystery and wonder.

July 13-17, 9am to 12pm – Wildlife Week
Looking closely you can find wildlife everywhere in our nature center! Campers will see, collect and identify familiar and quite strange creatures in our woods, fields and ponds.

(8am arrival available) Click on the picture for more info and registration.

Recycling ScrapMetal & Tires

Saturday, June 27th, 9 am to 1 pm
Have you been meaning to clean out the garage? Get rid of the broken tools? Copper, aluminum, brass, steel and more.
No fee, all donations appreciated
(Please drop off only during recycling hours)

Volunteer Weekend

June 27th & 28th, 2015,
The last Saturday and Sunday of each month,
Come any time in between 10am & 3pm
Much of what you see at the Arboretum has been done by volunteers. Join in! We’ll be doing a little of everything! Planting, weeding, moving, building, clearing, choose your favorite activity, meet your neighbors and have fun! A great family activity! No experience necessary! No preregistration required!

Jun 20 2015

iCreate Cafe – The People Chronicles

iCreate Cafe
Ashraf Khalil’s journey brought him, not just from Syria, but through a battle with cancer to wellness and a vegan lifestyle. He has his career and shares not just recipes but his technical skills.

Jun 19 2015

Pottstown Rumble Returns June 25th through June 28th

Center Court action

Center Court action

The Pottstown Rumble is a 4-day fun-filled event – Thursday June 25 to Sunday, June 28, 2015. Along with amazing competition at all levels of the tournament, the Rumble offers plenty of other activities: food, music, and fun. The Rumble starts off Thursday with the Dream in Gold Clinic hosted by 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Misty May with her Father Butch May – 1964 Olympian. Other instructors include high level volleyball players and coaches. Friday brings our Pottstown Rumble Juniors Grass Doubles Tournament ages 18 and under. Saturday morning starts off with a bang with a beefed up fireworks show as over 2,000 players eagerly wait to start their day. Saturday afternoon brings Women’s Pro Finals to center court while the Men’s Pro division wraps up Sunday afternoon competing for the $5,000 first place price. There will be gourmet food, clothing vendors, an on-site massage therapist, and high-energy music throughout the weekend!! All visitors welcome!!

All registrations are first come first serve! You will be notified prior to registering if you are NOT at the main field. Anyone registering after June 21 will be charged a late fee of $20 per entry, this includes walk-on’s if space is available. Walk-on’s will most certainly be playing on satellite fields.

For more information, check out their website: https://pottstownrumble.com/

Jun 18 2015

Victims Of The Charleston Tragedy

This appeared on Facebook so I can’t verify that it’s 100% accurate but I think it’s important to put a face on this senseless act of violence.

Those who lost their lives at Emanuel AME Church are:
• Cynthia Hurd, 54, a manager with the Charleston County Public Library system.


• Ethel Lance, 70, a retiree who recently worked as a church janitor


• Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41, a South Carolina state senator and pastor at the church


• Susie Jackson, 87, a longtime member of the church


• Depayne Middleton Doctor, 49, former Charleston County community development director


• Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a church pastor, speech therapist and a high school girls’ track coach


• Myra Thompson, 59, a pastor at the church


• Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr., 74, another pastor at the church


• Tywanza Sanders, 26, a 2014 graduate of Allen University, where Pinckney was also an alum.

Remember their names. And remember the 5-year-old that survived because her grandmother instructed her to play dead.

Jun 18 2015

‘Arts And Access’ Launches Program For Greater Accessibility

Lehigh Valley arts and cultural organizations will be welcoming patrons with intellectual, sensory and physical disabilities as a result of the effort of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council (LVAC) and the Lehigh Valley Partnership for a Disability Friendly Community (Partnership).

They will host an “Arts & Access” reception on July 24, 2015, to launch the yearlong plan to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through the lens of the arts. The event will be held 4:30-6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center, 850 S. 5th St., Allentown. It is open to the public, particularly to anyone with a disability.

“Access to the arts is more than just building a ramp,” said Randall Forte, LVAC Executive Director. “To be truly accessible to those with disabilities, performing and visual arts groups need to make important changes in the way they have always done things.”

With the guidance of VSA PA, LVAC has developed staff training and promotional programs to help local arts organizations learn how to remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from enjoying their offerings. More than 30 arts organizations have already agreed to move toward greater inclusion and make accommodations for people with disabilities.

Workshops will continue this year on implementing open captioning and audio description for people with vision and hearing loss. Open Captioning provides the audience with an electronic text display to the side of the stage, displaying lyrics, dialogue, and sound effects in real time. Audio Description is a form of audio-visual translation, using natural pauses to insert narrative that translates the visual image into an audible form. Patrons use headsets to hear the audio description.

Together, the arts council and partnership hope to accomplish the following goals:
a) to convince cultural organizations to consider the community with disabilities as a viable market
b) to train arts presenters in how to adapt their work for an audience with varied disabilities.
c) to help arts organizations recognize the needs and the abilities of people with disabilities.
d) to work together to promote accessible events for people with disabilities and their families.

For more information, visit ArtsandAccess.org

Addressing a need
Most of us can go to a concert or play with little thought to attendance details. But those who experience hearing or vision loss, or have mobility or developmental challenges that require special accommodation, are often barred from cultural events.

The 2012 U.S. Census estimated that more than 12 percent of the Valley’s non-institutionalized population lives with some kind of disability. That’s a potential arts audience of about 81,000 people. “Arts groups should realize that in the community with disabilities there is an untapped market for performing and visual arts,” said Forte.

Members of the Lehigh Valley Partnership for a Disability Friendly Community, a coalition of organizations that serve the diverse disabled community, asked the LVAC to involve arts groups in addressing this issue. To date, more than thirty arts and cultural organizations have agreed to participate, including ArtsQuest, Allentown Art Museum, Lehigh University Art Galleries, Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, SATORI, and Williams Center for the Arts.

Arts & Access is already responsible for important changes in the way the arts are presented. For example, this fall the Lehigh University Art Galleries will debut a tactile description program in their teaching gallery, which uses technology to create a three-dimensional relief of a portion of the image for the person to explore through touch. Many local service providers, such as Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living and the Center for Vision Loss, are offering customer service training free-of-charge. For instance, the staff at Center for Vison Loss will work with ushers and box office personnel on how to interact with a person with vision loss. In addition to providing them audio-description, theatres may offer a pre-show sensory tour, where patrons arrive early, meet cast members and handle props and costume accessories.

The LVAC can connect presenters with affordable professionals who do American Sign Language interpreting, audio describing, and open captioning for live events and exhibitions. The council also offers audio-describer training and equipment for organizations who wish to train their in-house personnel. In addition, participants may apply to the council for a Greater Inclusion Grant, a matching grant for up to $300, to help fund a new initiative that meets the approved criteria.

The Americans for Disabilities Act, passed on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination against the disabled. It set in motion a frenzy of activity designed to prevent discrimination against those who have difficulty navigating modern life, particularly in employment, transportation, and public buildings. But the act did not specifically address the facilities used by the arts such as theaters, galleries, and auditoriums. http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm#anchor62335

L.V. Partnership for a Disability Friendly Community is a diverse network of more than 75 people and agencies in the Lehigh Valley united in the goal to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Their vision is to be a catalyst for change in making the Valley a disability-friendly community which is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. http://disabilityfriendlylv.com/

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council acts as both advocate and catalyst to create new gateways, and bring people together to find solutions that advance greater arts participation. It promotes the arts, supports the development of artists, assists arts organizations, facilitates communication among its constituencies, and conducts research to measure the economic impact of the region’s cultural industry. http://www.lvartscouncil.org/

VSA ARTS in Pennsylvania shares its knowledge of inclusive arts education across Pennsylvania and works with artists with disabilities to develop professional careers.

Schedule for July 24 Launch Party
4:30 p.m.

  • Guests greeted by The Miracle Movers cheerleaders from The Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley
  • Tours of “Beyond Limits”, the Heath & Technology facility

5:15 p.m.

  • Welcome by John Kristel, President and CEO, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
  • Remarks by Nelvin Vos, founding convener of the Partnership
  • Remarks by Randall Forte, Executive Director, LVAC

5:30 p.m.

  • Refreshments. Music by The Mississippi Mudders Dixieland Quintet

6 p.m.

  • Conclusion of event

Free, wheelchair accessible parking is available in the Good Shepherd parking deck across from the Health & Technology Center on South 5th St.; it is connected to the center via a bridge on level three.

A Partial List of Arts Organizations participating in Arts & Access
Abbreviations used below: AD – Audio Described; ASL – American Sign Language; OC – Open Captioned;

Allentown Art Museum in collaboration with Via of the Lehigh Valley and artist Jill Odegaard
Contact: Julia Marsh, 610-432-4333, jmarsh@allentownartmuseum.org.
Thru October 11, 2015: “Woven Welcome: Making Community” a community weaving project that connect individuals and groups trough the creative process.

ArtsQuest
Contact: Mark Demko, 610-332-1341, mdemko@artsquest.org
December 19, 2015 – February 15, 2016: “Life Accessible” Photography Beyond the Limits of Life; at Banana Factory. Photographer Stephen Cunic uses braille techniques and braille labels to create stunning visuals for the visually impaired.

Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre
Contact: Jessica Bien, 484-664-3807, bien@muhlenberg.edu.
July 26, 2015: AD and OC performance of “Hello Dolly” at 2:00 p.m.
July 18, 2015: Sensory-friendly performance of “GRIMM,” a children’s play for children with autism and their families, followed by an interactive workshop, at 1:00 p.m.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
Contact: Jill Arington, 610-282-9455, jill.arington@pashakespeare.org
July 25, 2015: American Sign Language (ASL) performance of “Rapunzel” for hard of hearing children, 2:00 p.m.
August 1, 2015: Audio-described (AD) performance of “The Foreigner,” 2 p.m.

Raker Lecture Series
Contact: Nelvin Vos, nvos@ptd.net.
September 29, 2015: Daniel Lasko, retired Marine corporal, accomplished
athlete and member of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team at 7:30 p.m. at Egner Chapel, Muhlenberg College. Presented by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.

SATORI in collaboration painter William Christine at the Colonial Intermediate Unit #21
Contact: Nora Suggs, Executive Director, 610-435-6036, nas0710@yahoo.com
October 23, 2015: “See the Music, Hear the Art” at 1:00PM at the CIU #21, Schnecksville. Blends chamber music, art narration and discussion, ASL interpreted.

Williams Center for the Arts/ Lafayette College
Contact: Kelly Prentice, 610-330-5203, prentick@lafayette.edu
September 15, 2015: Dance for PD® Workshop for Parkinson patients, care takers and dance teachers at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
***
About the Lehigh Valley Arts Council

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives.
***

Lehigh Valley Arts Council
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201
Allentown, PA 18101
610-437-5915 / operations@LVArtsCouncil.org
www.LVArtsCouncil.org / www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org
Jun 18 2015

Charleston Shooter Captured

The FBI has announced that the Charleston shooter has been captured and is in police custody.  Dylann Roof was captured in Shelby, NC according to news sources.  He is accused of killing 9 people, including the church’s Pastor Sen. Clementa Pinckney, during a prayer service at historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC Wednesday night.  The shooting is being classified as a hate crime, which is a federal offense.

Jun 16 2015

We Are Changing Our Format

This blog was started as a public service to help keep folks informed about things going on in our world.  That “world” started out as Greater Pottstown but expanded to include the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (and sometimes our next door neighbors New Jersey and Delaware).

WE ARE 100% NON-PROFIT.  With more and more newspapers requiring paid subscriptions or offering only restricted access it has become increasing difficult to share information.  We have no budget, we have no advertisers or sponsors to offset these costs.  Therefore, effective immediately, we are only going to publish press releases, event flyers or original content.

As much as this saddens us, news access is going to continue to shrink without paid subscriptions.  This is a hobby, not a business.

We will continue to share news on our Facebook page because “sharing” information that way is kosher and free for now, apparently.  Our page can be found by clicking this link if you aren’t familiar with it

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roys-Rants/135214378191?ref=hl

We have to roll with the changing times and we thank you for your support since 2009.  Hopefully these changes will keep us around a while longer.

Jun 15 2015

Western Pa. Wakes Up To Flooding After Heavy Overnight Storms

A series of violent storms rumbled across Western Pennsylvania overnight, flooding roads and basements and knocking out power to thousands.

Thunderstorms flooded several areas along state routes 51, 30 and 119 and spurred a brief tornado scare in parts of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties — including a reported sighting of a funnel in Elizabeth Township.

Rihaan Gangat of the National Weather Service in Moon said there was no official verification of a tornado forming in the area as of late Sunday, although he did not dispute the legitimacy of a resident’s video, which showed a dark, wedge-shaped object.

“So far there haven’t been any reports of touchdowns out of that area,” Gangat said at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. “We did have a tornado warning out for the first storm because rotation was definitely seen but, because we lost daylight, it’s hard to tell if anything reached the ground.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/8567781-74/flooding-township-119#ixzz3dAMvXbmk
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Jun 15 2015

Suspect Arrested In Hazleton Murder

Just 72 hours after a man was killed on a city street by gun fire, Hazleton police arrested the man they say pulled the trigger.

Officers arrested Raphael Mora-Polanco, 26, Hazleton, while conducting surveillance Sunday in the area of Second and Alter streets, about two blocks away from the shooting that claimed the life of Jorge Marrero, 35, who’s last known address was on South Poplar Street.

Marrero was shot multiple times in the area of Alter and Fourth streets Thursday around 10:30 p.m., police said. He was found by police on West Fourth Street, near Emerald Court, the alley between Alter and Vine streets, with bullet wounds.

Hazleton police Chief Frank DeAndrea labeled the homicide an “execution” due to the circumstances involved.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/suspect-arrested-in-hazleton-murder-1.1898205

Jun 15 2015

Police: Suspect Had Over 1,000 Heroin Packets, Hid Some In His Body

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, PA — What started as a traffic stop ended with a man facing drug charges after police found over 1,000 packets of heroin in his vehicle.

Some of those packets were found in his rectum.

Oliver E. Rivera, 22, of Drums, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police say they stopped a vehicle that Rivera was driving at 12:35 a.m. on June 10 for traffic violations. During the stop, police say they observed indicators of drug trafficking and discovered more than 1,000 packets of heroin in Rivera’s vehicle.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/blotter-local-news/154077840/

Jun 15 2015

Aldi Hiring Event – FT Store Associates And Shift Managers – Philadelphia/Lehigh Valley

Hiring Event – Philadelphia, PA

Date: Friday, June 26, 2015

Start Time: 7 00 AM

End Time: 11 00 AM

Location: 4104 G. Street

Information:

REQUIREMENTS:

  • High School diploma or GED required, 18 years of age or older, able to lift up to 45 lbs
  • Outstanding customer service, motivation, and a commitment to teamwork with a “Can Do” attitude
  • Must be able to work varying schedules to accommodate the operational schedule of the store
  • Accurate cash control, cleaning and stocking merchandise, and maintaining the standards of a Premier Grocery Store
  • Seeking applicants with previous management experience for potential growth to advance into our Shift Manager position

With more than 30 years in the industry, Aldi is the leading select-assortment grocer and one of the largest food retailers in the world with over 4,000 locations worldwide.  Our U.S. growth continues to explode; we’re adding nearly 100 new stores every year, and we are seeking energetic and highly motivated individuals to join the Aldi team in our PHILADELPHIA, PA STORE LOCATION.  Aldi offers a liberal benefit package for eligible employees including:

  • Major Medical, Dental, Vision Care
  • Paid Vacations and Holidays
  • Retirement and 401k

FULL TIME STORE ASSOCIATES AND SHIFT MANAGERS

FULL TIME STORE ASSOCIATES:  $11.25 PER HOUR

SHIFT MANAGERS:  $15.25 PER HOUR ($11.25 PER HOUR PLUS $4.00 PER HOUR PREMIUM)

*Training Provided*Potential for Advancement*
Employment Contingent Upon Result of Drug Screening and Background Check

Hiring Event – Lehigh Valley Mall – Whitehall, PA

6/24/2015

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

250 Lehigh Valley Mall

Whitehall , 18052

Pennsylvania , USA

Click the link to see all hiring events by selecting your state and the city closest to you at : http://aldistorejobs.com/events/Search