http://www.allentownpa.gov/ News from Allentown Pennsylvania http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Argotic Syndication Framework 2008.0.2.0, http://www.codeplex.com/Argotic http://www.allentownpa.gov/ http://www.allentownpa.gov/ News from Allentown Pennsylvania en-US Tue, 22 May 2012 06:36:43 GMT Tue, 22 May 2012 06:36:43 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Representatives of the City of Allentown, the Allentown School District and Palisades Middle School participated in the dedication today of the Outdoor Classroom at Joseph S. Daddona Park near Union Terrace Elementary School.&nbsp; The benches sit just north of the pond in the park and offer a view of the terrace to the west.<br /> <br /> The dedication was attended by Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown School District Superintendent, Dr. Russell Mayo, Palisades School District Superintendent Bridget O&rsquo;Connell, Union Terrace Elementary School Principal David Hahn, Palisades Middle School Principal Ed Baumgartner, Palisades Middle School teachers David Hinkle and Kristin Jacoby, Allentown City Councilman Ray O&rsquo;Connell, Allentown Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Acting Director Rick Holtzman and students from Union Terrace Elementary School and Palisades Middle School.<br /> <br /> The outdoor classroom and environmental improvements to the park are the result of a cooperative arrangement between the city and the Allentown and Palisades school districts.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I want to especially thank the Palisades School District and the administration, teachers and students of the Palisades Middle School,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;We are always touting the benefit of partnerships. Our park visitors and our students will enjoy the fruits of this project for years to come. I also want to <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1861/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1861/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1861/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 17 May 2012 14:55:58 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Police Department honored nearly 50 officers and members of the public at a two-hour commendation and award presentation ceremony and memorial service today at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The event was held as part of the celebration of National Police Week. The department also honored other residents and businesses for their contributions or donations, elementary school student safety officers and a crossing guard.<br /> <br /> Allentown FBI Office Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Marakovits was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The event concluded with Assistant Police Chief Daniel Warg and Allentown Fraternal Order of Police President Sergeant Tony Alsleben laying a wreath in front of the Scottish Rite Cathedral to honor former Allentown officers Robert Sperling, Sr., Harold Stephens, Richard R. Schaffer, James E. Beltz, Richard U. Haydt, Clarence Sicher, Verne A. Bray and K-9 Sem who died during the past year.<br /> <br /> Allentown police officers receiving commendations for heroism were: Lieutenant Dwight Steidel, Alex de la Iglesia, Matthew Diehl, Christopher Weiss and John Brixius.<br /> <br /> Two Commendations for Bravery were awarded to Allentown police officers Mark Jarrouj and Damian Murray. Commendations for Bravery were also awarded to Sergeant James Keiser, Sergeant Keith Heffner, Alex de la Iglesia, Cory Marstellar, Jorge Medero, James Stanko, Ronald Schlegel, Michael Yette<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1860/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1860/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1860/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 16 May 2012 12:31:55 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The work schedule has been changed for the crosswalk installation project near Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown as part of the Heart of the City Initiative. Originally scheduled to begin on Friday, May 18, all work will now take place the week of Monday, May 21. Motorists should be aware of street closings and traffic delays in the area on Monday, May 21, Tuesday, May 22, Wednesday, May 23 and Friday, May 25. <br /> <br /> The city will pour the new crosswalks at 4th &amp; Chew streets and the mid-block crossing on 4th Street on Friday, May 25 between the hours of 7am and 5pm. No vehicles will be allowed in the intersection of 4th &amp; Chew between these hours. 4th Street will be closed between Turner Street and Gordon Street. Chew Street will be closed between 5th Street and Jordan Street. Access to the hospital will be from Chew Street west of the hospital. There will be a flagger at 5th &amp; Chew Street allowing access to the hospital. There will also be no access from the alley to the rear of the hospital (Pine Street) onto 4th Street during this time frame. The rain date for the crosswalk installation in that area is Saturday, June 2.<br /> <br /> Milling work for the crosswalk project will commence on Monday, May 21 at 8:30am at 4th &amp; Chew streets and the mid-block crossing. That afternoon crews will mill the crosswalk at 5th &amp; Chew streets. Traffic at those locations will be controlled by fl<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1859/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1859/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1859/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 15 May 2012 12:02:42 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown&rsquo;s Animal Control Officer is reminding pet owners to keep their animals up to date on rabies vaccinations.&nbsp; A rabid fox was killed on the city&rsquo;s East Side (Tacoma Court Street area) on Tuesday, May 8th after it attacked a woman.<br /> <br /> Animal Control advises feeding all pets inside, cleaning-up under bird feeders, covering trash and recycling cans and filling-in any holes around sheds to prevent den sites. <br /> <br /> Residents are also advised not to entice any strange or wild animals to come near them.&nbsp; Residents should refrain from petting, touching or feeding stray or wild animals. A fox can look like a dog to young children, who often make attempts to pet them. &nbsp;Parents should supervise young children when outdoors and reinforce with older children not to pet strays.<br /> <br /> If you have come into contact with a stray animal and have been bitten or scratched you should seek medical attention immediately. Rabies is an almost always fatal disease.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1855/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1855/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1855/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 11 May 2012 10:29:46 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) is soliciting comments on updated DRAFT Design Guidelines for Allentown&rsquo;s Historic Districts (Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds, West Park). The draft publication provides instruction and guidance to help Historic District property owners and residents understand their responsibilities and the HARB process as well as provide guidance to city staff and members of the HARB.<br /> <br /> The draft design guidelines have been several months in the making. In August of 2011, the city was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to obtain the services of an historic preservation consultant to assist with the Design Guideline update. In October, the city contracted with Artefact Inc. of Bethlehem to provide assistance in updating the Historic District Design Guidelines. In January, the HARB began holding a series of public workshops to solicit input from Historic District residents and property owners. Last month, the HARB voted to submit the draft document to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for review and comment and to solicit comments from the public.<br /> <br /> According to HARB Chairperson Shane Fillman, &ldquo;Allentown&rsquo;s historic districts are a valuable and important cultural resource of the city. I&rsquo;d like to thank the residents and property owners of the historic districts who participa<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1851/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1851/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1851/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 08 May 2012 14:07:22 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is competing in the 2012 PetSafe Bark For Your Park contest to win $100,000 to build Allentown&rsquo;s first dog park!&nbsp; Voting for the initial phase began May 1 and continues through June 13. <br /> <br /> Allentown competed in the 2011 PetSafe contest and was selected one of the top 15 finalists out of more than 500 cities across the country.&nbsp; The city earned the distinction based on the fantastic input shown by the community during the first and second stages of the contest.<br /> <br /> This year, PetSafe has revised the contest to include two additional $25,000 prizes for &ldquo;runner up&rdquo; cities.&nbsp; The contest is broken up into two voting periods: from May 1 &ndash; June 13 followed by the selection of the top 15 finalist cities and a second voting period of June 15 &ndash; August 1.&nbsp; The prize winners will be announced on August 3. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are so proud and thankful for the support from the Allentown community,&rdquo; said Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Director Greg A. Weitzel. &nbsp;&ldquo;The public&rsquo;s effort during last year&rsquo;s competition was fantastic, and we need the public&rsquo;s help again this year.&nbsp; With their assistance, I believe Allentown has a great chance to win.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Weitzel urges the public to vote at both <a href="http://www.barkforyourpark.com">www.barkforyourpark.com</a> and <a href="ht<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1850/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1850/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1850/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 07 May 2012 16:08:28 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Water Filtration Plant is the recipient of a national award for maintaining the Directors Award of recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water. The Partnership is a national volunteer initiative developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other water organizations representing water suppliers striving to provide their communities with drinking water quality that surpasses the required federal standards. <br /> <br /> The Directors Award is presented to water systems that have completed a successful review in the Partnership&rsquo;s Self-Assessment and Peer Review phase, a phase in which utilities examine the capabilities of their treatment plant operation and administration and then create a plan for implementing improvements. Allentown has maintained the Directors Award for five years, an honor achieved by only 165 water utilities across the country.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The employees of the water plant are to be commended,&rdquo; Mayor Ed Pawlowski said. &ldquo;They should be very proud that their work is being noticed for the fifth straight year. The city&rsquo;s water users are assured that we are continuing to meet high standards.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The Partnership for Safe Drinking Water currently includes more than 220 water utilities, collectively serving more than 82 million people. This represents 60% of the U.S. population served by surface wate<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1849/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1849/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1849/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 07 May 2012 12:27:10 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Police Department will hold a Commendation Awards Ceremony during National Police Week on Wednesday, May 16 at 10am at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 West Hamilton Street.<br /> <br /> Members of the Allentown Police Department and citizens of the community will receive various awards approved by the Commendations Committee. There will also be presentation of &ldquo;School Safety Patrols of the Year&rdquo; and &ldquo;Crossing Guard of the Year.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Immediately following these awards there will be a brief memorial service held at the courtyard where a wreath will be laid for all departed police officers.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--<br /> </span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1847/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1847/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1847/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 04 May 2012 12:41:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will be headed to Israel at the invitation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Union of Local Authorities in Israel and the American Council for World Jewry to attend Israel&rsquo;s 27th Conference of Mayors. The five day conference opens Sunday in Jerusalem.<br /> <br /> Conference participants will have an opportunity to focus on vital issues that are common to all cities and to exchange special knowledge and strategies which they have developed. The conference schedule includes meetings with the mayors of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, Israel&rsquo;s three largest cities with a combined population of more than 1.4 million. All branches of the Israeli government are located in Jerusalem.<br /> <br /> Mayors from 26 different countries were invited to attend the 2011 event. &ldquo;I am honored to accept an invitation to attend this prestigious conference,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;I look forward to meeting the different mayors from Israel and around the world.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Pawlowski and the other mayors in attendance will also be meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the conference agenda, Mr. Netanyahu is scheduled to spend 90 minutes with the group. &ldquo;This is certainly a fantastic and unique opportunity,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;It will be great to personally hear his views on a variety of topics.&rdquo; <br /> <br <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1846/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1846/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1846/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 04 May 2012 12:23:23 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Police Department is good to go for another three years. The department has been reaccredited by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. <br /> <br /> A three man assessment team visited the department for two days in early December 2011. The assessment team was led by State College Borough Police Chief Thomas King, retired Penn Township Police Chief Michael Mastroianni and Lower Paxton Township Director of Public Safety David Johnson.<br /> <br /> According to the assessment team, &ldquo;The quality and professional police services provided by the Allentown Police Department were evidenced in what was presented during the static display/station tour, file reviews, ride-alongs, personal interviews and conversations with agency staff, and our interaction with the command staff during the exit interview. It is apparent the Department has been and continues to be dedicated to delivering quality police services to all residents, school district, business owners and visitors of Allentown.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The results of the most recent assessment confirm our belief that we have a top notch police department,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;The department leadership and the rank and file are to be commended for their efforts to first achieve and then to maintain accreditation since 2005.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> &ldquo;We want to perform our jobs to the highest s<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1845/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1845/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1845/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 03 May 2012 16:31:54 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown along with the Allentown Fire Department in partnership with the Allentown School District is rewarding the hard work of some elementary school students with a ride to school in a fire engine. The program begins Friday, May 4 at Luis Ramos Elementary School and will conclude Friday, June 1 at Washington Elementary School. Mayor Ed Pawlowski is scheduled to join the initial celebration when students Rosanna Luna and Luis A. Roman are honored.<br /> . <br /> Two students from each of the participating elementary schools have been selected by their principal to be rewarded with the ride. Students were selected for excellence in academics, citizenship, school spirit, community spirit and safety patrol.<br /> <br /> Schedule and Student Winners:<br /> <br /> May 4, 2012 Luis Ramos School<br /> 1430 West Allen Street Rosanna Luna &amp; Luis A. Roman<br /> <br /> May 8, 2012 Central Elementary<br /> 829 W. Turner Street Joshua Soto &amp; Erick Soto<br /> <br /> May 9, 2012 Mosser Elementary<br /> 129 S. Dauphin Street Danny Garcia &amp; Nancy Eskander<br /> <br /> May 10, 2012 Union Terrace Elementary<br /> 1939 Union Street Samantha Clay &amp; Allen Young<br /> <br /> May 11, 2012 Roosevelt Elementary<br /> 210 W. Susquehanna Street Terry Weller &amp; Natalia Cordova<br /> <br /> May 15, 2012 Ritter Elementary<br /> 790 North Plymouth Street Remney Medina &amp; Jenny Makhoul<br /> <br /> May 17<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1843/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1843/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1843/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 02 May 2012 09:43:54 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown has been named a Playful City USA community for the fourth consecutive year. The designation comes from KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to saving play. Allentown is one of 213 cities and towns across the country and seven in Pennsylvania to earn the distinction. Allentown is among 27 communities that have been honored for the fourth time.<br /> <br /> According to KaBOOM! each of the 2012 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to the cause of play. Playful City USA celebrates and highlights these unique initiatives developed by communities across the country. A primary goal of Playful City USA is to encourage cities and towns to share creative ideas, concepts and programs in an effort to increase play opportunities for children.<br /> <br /> KaBOOM! selected Allentown for its outstanding dedication to play. Allentown's Destination Playground, with more than 300 play opportunities, attracts thousands of visitors per weekend. To complement this new playspace, the department of parks and recreation hosts Inclusion Playtime, days where organizations that provide support to youth with disabilities share information about available resources.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are proud to be designated a Playful City USA community for the fourth consecutive year,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;Our playground at Cedar Beach is enjoyed by children of all ages. We coul<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1840/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1840/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1840/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 01 May 2012 12:28:08 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will be in the market for a new Director of Parks &amp; Recreation. Greg A. Weitzel is leaving the job that he has held since March 2007 for a similar position in Idaho Falls, Idaho.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure in Allentown and I am proud of what we have accomplished,&rdquo; said Weitzel. &ldquo;It has been my goal to eventually return out west, and the City of Idaho Falls has an extensive recreation program, park and trail system as well as an aquatics center, indoor ice rink, a recreation center, a zoo and three golf courses. On top of that, Idaho Falls is the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. For someone who loves recreation, nature and the outdoors, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Weitzel&rsquo;s tenure has been marked by improvements to Cedar Creek Parkway, including a widely successful destination playground and restoration of the Rose Garden and establishment of the LifeTrail system; renovation of West Park; the development of the Arts Walk; improvements to Keck Park; an ecological restoration project on the nearly 1.5 miles of Trout Creek in Trout Creek Parkway; improvements to Lil-Le-Hi Trout Nursery; Jordan Park tennis court renovations; creation of the Connecting Our Community trail network plan, Swimming Toward the Future aquatic plan, dog park master plan and establishing a new park signage and way<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1839/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1839/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1839/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:21:15 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Norfolk Southern Railway will be upgrading a rail crossing at S. 12th and Vultee streets in the City of Allentown beginning next week. <br /> <br /> The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 30 and is expected to be completed on Friday, May 11. The crossing will be closed the entire construction time frame. A detour route has been posted utilizing Downeyflake Lane and Lehigh Street.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1838/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1838/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1838/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:56:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">You can get rid of potentially dangerous controlled substances from your medicine cabinet this Saturday. The City of Allentown Health Bureau and the Allentown Police Department will participate in the 4th National Take-Back Day initiative at two locations. City representatives will accept expired, unwanted and unused prescriptions or over-the-counter medications on Saturday, April 28 at the Giant Supermarket at 3015 W. Emmaus Ave and at Episcopal House at 1440 Walnut Street both from 10am to 2pm. <br /> <br /> The initiative is being coordinated by the U.S Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. The Lehigh County District Attorney&rsquo;s Office, Giant and Episcopal House are partnering with the city in the local effort.<br /> <br /> The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away &ndash; both potential safety and health hazards.<br /> <br /> According to Allentown Health Bureau Director Vicky Kistler, having expired and unused medications in a home can pose many unforeseen dangers. &ldquo;Having unneces<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1833/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1833/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1833/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:22:34 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation LifeTrail Club is celebrating its 1st Anniversary. Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Director Greg A. Weitzel and club members marked the occasion today at a news conference at the Rose Garden Pavilions in Cedar Creek Parkway. <br /> <br /> The LifeTrail is comprised of a series of 10 wellness stations along a paved walking trail. The trail was installed as part of the Cedar Creek Parkway Renovation Project, and provides an opportunity for free, outdoor exercise designed for adults age 55 and over.<br /> <br /> The Department of Parks and Recreation established the LifeTrail Club in May of 2011. It is free to join and open to all members of the community. Members sign-up through the department office and are given a &ldquo;key tab&rdquo; to click in each time they use the LifeTrail. Prizes are awarded throughout the year based on consistent use of the trail. Additionally, the program holds monthly meetings from May to October with speakers on a variety of pertinent health topics. <br /> <br /> From May to October of 2011, LifeTrail Club membership increased from 35 to 180 members. The Walking in a Winter Wonderland Contest kept many club members exercising regularly on the LifeTrail during the winter months. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;The LifeTrail provides a tremendous resource for Allentown&rsquo;s older adults by offering an outlet fo<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1832/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1832/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1832/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:19:56 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is offering a printed guide for those interested in starting or bringing a business to the city. Mayor Ed Pawlowski unveiled the guide during today&rsquo;s Allentown Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with the Mayor Seminar at The Cosmopolitan. <br /> <br /> Produced by the city&rsquo;s Department of Community &amp; Economic Development, the guide includes information on planning a business, understanding the requirements and necessary steps to be taken while preparing to open.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Launching a business, no matter the size or level of an owner&rsquo;s previous experience, is no small undertaking,&rdquo; Pawlowski said. &ldquo;From opportunity to opening, we hope this guide helps owners transform their business vision into reality with greater efficiency.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The booklet is designed to help business owners follow the most basic steps to plan their business, understand general licensing and permitting requirements, manage the pre-opening process and know which city staff members to contact for assistance.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;In the Department of Community &amp; Economic Development and throughout the city we feel it is our role to assist and protect business owners and the general public, not frustrate them,&rdquo; said Business Development manager Todd Collins. &ldquo;In the business development office we strive to be easily accessible and provide useful informati<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1831/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1831/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1831/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:27:54 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Police Chief Roger MacLean today introduced four new police officers during a late morning ceremony in City Council chambers.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski administered the oath of office to officers Richard Seltzer and Ryan Murray of Breinigsville, Eric Stauffer of Mertztown and Christina Villacis of Whitehall.<br /> <br /> Seltzer will be attending the next Allentown Police Academy class beginning in July. Murray, Stauffer and Villacis are already Act 120 certified and are undergoing in-house training.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski advised the officers to pay close attention to their mentors. &ldquo;Police work is an extremely rewarding profession, but it is also inherently dangerous. I can&rsquo;t tell you how much I admire your bravery and your courage. The people of Allentown, our business owners and workers and our hundreds of thousands of visitors appreciate your efforts every single minute of every single day.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are confident that our increasing manpower will have a tremendous impact on public safety across the city,&rdquo; said MacLean. &ldquo;We hold our department in high regard. I appreciate the commitment and dedication exhibited daily by my officers and supervisors. I want to welcome these new officers to the department.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Officer Seltzer holds a BA in Marketing/Management from Siena College.<br /> <br /> Officer Murray attended Mo<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1829/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1829/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1829/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:09:08 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Jordan Creek Greenway and Stevens Community Park in the City of Allentown and Lehigh Mountain Park will benefit from a combined $625,000 in matching grants recently awarded from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The money comes from the Keystone Fund Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The City of Allentown received one of the largest allotments of development grant awards in the state.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The city is very pleased to receive this crucial funding,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;It will help implement our development plans for Stevens Park, the regional Lehigh Mountain Park and our portion of the Jordan Creek Greenway.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are extremely thankful to DCNR and our local partners for their assistance with these grant applications which will now allow the city to move forward with the development of these important projects,&rdquo; said Greg A. Weitzel, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Allentown. &ldquo;We are honored to be awarded such a large allotment of grant funds given the current economic situation. This will allow us to continue these development projects and revitalize the community surrounding these parks.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Lehigh Mountain Park is a regional park providing surrounding communities with a place to walk, hike, run, hunt and bike in a beauti<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1826/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1826/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1826/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:49:26 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Police Department is launching tip411, an internet-based tool that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to police, and lets the police respond back creating a two way anonymous &ldquo;chat.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Tip 411 is a web-based application of Citizen Observer for receiving, responding to and managing anonymous web, text message and I-Phone generated tips. It was unveiled at a late morning news conference at 11th &amp; Linden streets by Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Police Chief Roger MacLean. They were joined by&nbsp;Assistant Chief Dan Warg and Adams Outdoor Lehigh Valley Division General Manager Tony Cioffi. The system was demonstrated to those in attendance.<br /> <br /> Anyone with a cell phone can now send an anonymous tip to Allentown Police by texting the word TIPAPD, YOUTHAPD or VICEAPD and the tip information to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted right from the city&rsquo;s website. It is 100% anonymous. The technology removes all identifying information before the Police Department sees it; so there&rsquo;s no way to identify the sender.<br /> <br /> Users simply enter the number 847411 in the New Text Message line of their cell phone; then type in TIPAPD in the text box; use one space without punctuation and then type their tip and hit the SEND button. Shortly thereafter the sender will receive a text message indicating that their tip message<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1825/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1825/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1825/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:21:21 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Approximately 600 community volunteers are expected to participate in Mayor Ed Pawlowski&rsquo;s 6TH Annual Great Allentown Cleanups. To date, 12 community groups, businesses and schools have scheduled clean-up activities from Saturday, April 21st through Saturday, May 19th.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Keep Allentown Beautiful is affiliated with Keep America Beautiful, which sponsors the Great American Cleanup and also participates with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Great PA Cleanup called &ldquo;Pick It Up PA.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Pawlowski is asking even more city residents, business owners, church goers and community group members to consider participating in the program. The city will supply brooms, bags, dust pans and litter tongs. The city will also provide trash pick-up.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;All Allentown residents, property owners or renters, are needed to pitch in to take care of their homes and sidewalks,&rdquo; Pawlowski said. &ldquo;If everyone participates, we can have a tremendous impact on the cleanliness of our city. It begins with each home, with each block, with each neighborhood.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Pawlowski said the message is simple. &ldquo;I want all residents to be proud of their city and to do their part to keep it clean. Please don&rsquo;t litter, remember to tie your trash bags, and allocate a few minutes each week to pick-up the trash around your sidewalk. Taking those easy steps will en<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1823/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1823/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1823/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:45:48 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will be participating in tomorrow&rsquo;s White House Forum on Housing. The event is hosted by the White House, the Department of Housing &amp; Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Agriculture. It is being held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House.<br /> <br /> Senior White House and Agency officials will lead the conference which will focus on the Obama Administration&rsquo;s programs and initiatives to help responsible homeowners and struggling communities that have been adversely affected by the housing crisis. They will discuss the tools and resources available from HUD, Treasury, USDA and other agencies. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;During my participation in various White House forums I have found representatives extremely receptive to listening to our ideas and concerns,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;I am thankful that the Administration takes the initiative to schedule these conferences to listen to local leaders to share our best practices on the ground and provide feedback on federal programs.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> White House and Agency officials are also expected to discuss the foreclosure settlement, President Obama&rsquo;s new housing initiatives and legislative proposals impacting housing reforms.<br /> <br /> Representatives from the Pennsylvania cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, Scranton and Rea<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1820/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1820/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1820/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:31:32 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Norfolk Southern Railway will be upgrading its rail crossing at 31st Street SW between Lehigh Street and Emaus Avenue in the City of Allentown.<br /> <br /> The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 23 and conclude by Friday, April 27. The crossing will be closed during the entire construction time frame. A detour route of Lehigh Street to Downeyflake Lane to S. 12th Street to Emaus Avenue will be posted.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1819/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1819/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1819/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:29:24 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The musical lineup is set for Allentown&rsquo;s Fifth Annual Blues, Brews &amp; Barbecue Festival to take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012. Allentown Special Events Manager, Tara Craig, and Hamilton District Main Street Manager, Leslie Suhr announced the musical lineup this afternoon during a &ldquo;live&rdquo; appearance on WDIY Radio. This free annual event presented by the City of Allentown and Hamilton District Main Street Program fills Hamilton Street with activity, food vendors, artists and most notably a full day of blues music. Entertainment begins at 12 noon and is scheduled through 10pm.<br /> <br /> Blues, Brews &amp; Barbecue has traditionally showcased the best in Lehigh Valley Blues musicians. As part of the 5th Anniversary of the festival and the 250th Anniversary of the City of Allentown, this year&rsquo;s event will feature national talent in addition to an abundance of local talent.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;It is so exciting to host this festival in the heart of our downtown each year and that sentiment is multiplied by the fact that we are bringing award-winning national headliners to perform in Allentown this year,&rdquo; Craig said. &ldquo;Since this event&rsquo;s inception in 2008, it&rsquo;s been characterized by great music, delicious barbecue, a fun and festive atmosphere and undeniable energy. We are proud to bring it to another level in 2012.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;This year&rsquo;s fe<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1815/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1815/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1815/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:48:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">A free introductory Fly Fishing Seminar will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00am in Trout Creek Parkway in the City of Allentown. The seminar is sponsored by the Friends of the Allentown Parks and the Department of Parks and Recreation, and will be taught by volunteers of the Hokendauqua Chapter of Trout Unlimited.<br /> <br /> The seminar is another in a series of events taking place in Allentown parks as part of the city&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary celebration. <br /> <br /> Following the seminar, participants are invited for a free tour of the Lil Le-Hi Trout Nursery, or fly fishing practice at Daddona Lake at Union Terrace. <br /> <br /> Reservations are required for the program and can be made by calling 610-432-7275. More information can be found by visiting <a href="http://www.allentownpa.gov">www.allentownpa.gov</a>. <br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1814/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1814/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1814/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:19:13 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown&rsquo;s recently renovated Cedar Creek Parkway is meeting with overwhelming approval from a majority of its users. A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, in cooperation with the City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation, finds that recent renovations at Cedar Creek Parkway produced a number of favorable outcomes.<br /> <br /> A pre-renovation survey was conducted in Cedar Creek Parkway during the summer of 2008. The survey was designed to document park visitor behaviors and perceptions before major renovations were made to the park. With this benchmark data in hand, a survey team returned to Cedar Creek Parkway in 2011 after renovations were completed, and evaluated whether these investments have increased park visitation and/or improved visitor perceptions. <br /> <br /> The study found that a large majority of visitors at Cedar Creek Parkway (84%) were aware of the park renovations and identified numerous improvements to the trails, the environmental quality, park support features, as well as the new Destination Playground. When asked how the renovations influenced their park use, a majority of Cedar Creek Parkway visitors reported that they visited more frequently, stayed longer at the park and did a wider variety of activities due to these renovations. Overall park satisfaction also increased significantly as a result of renovations. The perceived qua<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1812/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1812/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1812/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:06:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation and Wildlands Conservancy were honored at the annual Pennsylvania Recreation &amp; Parks Society (PRPS) Conference in March.&nbsp; Department Director Greg A. Weitzel, Program Development Specialist Christy Alvord and Wildlands Conservancy Vice President of Conservation Education Scott Cope accepted the award for Outstanding Public/Private Partnership in recognition of their collaborative efforts to provide environmental improvements as well as education and outreach opportunities for residents and visitors of Allentown.&nbsp; The award was presented during the PRPS 65th Annual Conference March 17-21 in Seven Springs, Pa. <br /> <br /> In April of 2009, the City of Allentown and Wildlands Conservancy publically announced they would be working together to protect the city&rsquo;s natural and recreational resources.&nbsp; Since then, Wildlands Conservancy and the Department of Parks and Recreation have been collaborating to provide environmental education to residents, implement environmental best management practices in city parks and create new trails and greenways throughout the city.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The protection of our natural resources must be a top priority to ensure that current and future generations can continue to enjoy Allentown&rsquo;s expansive park system,&rdquo; remarked Wildlands Conservancy President Christopher M. Kocher.&nbsp; &ldq<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1811/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1811/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1811/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:50:12 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Mayor Ed Pawlowski today accepted a $120,000 check from the U.S Conference of Mayors as the winner of a 2012 Childhood Obesity Prevention Award. The check was presented by Crystal Swann of the U.S Conference of Mayors during a news conference at the Destination Playground in Cedar Creek Parkway. Pawlowski and Swann were joined at the news conference by Pennsylvania Beverage Association President Joe Brake, Supply Chain Director Nestle Waters North America Peter Rittenhouse and Allentown Health Bureau Nutrition &amp; Physical Activity Manager Tina Amato.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;It is fitting that we gather to be honored for what we are doing to prevent childhood obesity during what is National Public Health Week&rdquo; said Pawlowski.&nbsp; &ldquo;Over the last few years, we have taken considerable strides to improve the overall health of our residents and especially our young children.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The fruit and vegetable mobile began with a $2500 donation from Greater Lehigh Valley Independent Practice Association. Magnets were purchased with Community Development Block Grant funds to convert a city truck into the fruit and vegetable mobile. Local grocers, like Elias, sold fruit and vegetables to the city at a reasonable cost. They even washed and put the produce into baskets. Wegmans and Giant cut watermelon and prepared other fruits &amp; vegetables. The fruit and vegetable mobile was loaded-up and taken<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1809/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1809/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1809/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:43:15 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Park Drive, the main entrance into Lehigh Parkway, is being temporarily reduced to one-lane, one-way incoming traffic only.&nbsp; Exit from the park will be available via a marked detour onto Lehigh Parkway South. The lane reduction and detour will go into effect tomorrow afternoon. <br /> <br /> The road is being reduced in width to address maintenance of a retaining wall. The work is expected to take up to 90 days. <br /> <br /> In addition, the trail adjacent to the Little Lehigh Creek will be closed unit further notice.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1806/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1806/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1806/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:13:20 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will mark its 250th Anniversary with a parade and festival on Saturday, September 29.<br /> <br /> Mayor Ed Pawlowski and other city officials were joined by a variety of community partners to make the announcement during a late morning news conference at PPL Plaza at Ninth &amp; Hamilton streets. The audience included a number of individuals who have been donating their time and creative energies serving on a committee to shape the celebratory event. <br /> <br /> Chairman of the committee, pastor of Zion&rsquo;s &ldquo;Liberty Bell&rdquo; UCC, the Reverend Bob Stevens, officially announced the 250th Anniversary City Without Limits: Points of Pride Parade and Community Festival. &rdquo;The parade will be a colorful and creative journey-through-time where those on the sidelines will literally see Allentown&rsquo;s history pass by them,&rdquo; Stevens said. The parade is organized in six divisions, each representing a 50-year period in Allentown&rsquo;s history, beginning with the city&rsquo;s founding in 1762. The sixth division will represent &ldquo;The Future.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The announcement also serves as an invitation for the Allentown community to sign-up to showcase their Allentown pride, talent and creativity and march from the Fairgrounds to Ninth and Hamilton streets. Floats from the parade will park in laybys on Hamilton Street, and parade participants, marching groups and<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1805/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1805/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1805/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:44:23 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today announced the city&rsquo;s participation in the &ldquo;Mayor&rsquo;s Aluminum Cans Recycling Challenge.&rdquo; Allentown will join other cities across the country in a U.S. Conference of Mayors contest that rewards cities for recycling aluminum beverage cans.<br /> <br /> A total of $90,000 will be award by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Novelis Inc., through the sponsorship of the nationwide &ldquo;Cans for Cash Challenge&rdquo; which promotes the recycling of aluminum cans.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We have a fantastic recycling program in the city,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;It is evidenced by the size of the grants we receive on an annual basis and by a number of awards. This is our opportunity to show the rest of the country.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The contest runs for a four week period. Allentown&rsquo;s challenge will begin this Sunday, April 1 through April 28. <br /> <br /> The city is eligible to win in two categories. <br /> <br /> 1. MOST CANS COLLECTED<br /> <br /> Awards will be presented to the top three cities that collect and recycle aluminum cans. The top prize is $25,000, the second prize is $15,000 and third prize is $5,000. <br /> <br /> &bull; Individuals, schools, groups, organizations and businesses are all invited to take part is this exciting opportunity. <br /> <br /> &bull; Make sure that wherever you are, when you are finished drinking from that al<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1803/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1803/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1803/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:32:28 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The public can help determine what will be enclosed in a time capsule to help mark the City of Allentown&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary.<br /> <br /> A group of students from Muhlenberg College is conducting a study on the formation of collective memory in Allentown. Their study will focus on the construction of a time capsule to celebrate the city&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary. As part of their project, they are interested in learning what residents of Allentown would like to see included in a time capsule and how residents will choose to have their city remembered for future generations. The students&rsquo; goal is to have the diversity of Allentown represented in the items placed in the time capsule. <br /> <br /> Anyone interested in participating in a free survey is asked to please visit <a href="http://www.allentown250.com">www.allentown250.com</a>, and become a part of the city&rsquo;s memory!<br /> <br /> Anyone interested in participating in focus groups aimed at the time capsule, is asked to contact <a href="mailto:memoriesofallentown@gmail.com">memoriesofallentown@gmail.com</a>.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1798/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1798/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1798/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:18:59 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">A public forum will be held on Wednesday, April 4 to get public input on the emerging preferred plan for the City of Allentown Lehigh River Waterfront Master Plan. The session will be held from 6:30-8:30pm at Sheridan Elementary School at 541 North 2nd Street. <br /> <br /> Registration for the forum begins at 6:15pm with the presentation to begin at 6:30pm. Discussion with the audience is scheduled from 7:30pm to 8pm followed by a 30 minute Open House.<br /> <br /> The &ldquo;Lehigh River Waterfront Master Plan,&rdquo; is intended to enhance public areas of the riverfront and its neighborhood edges along with attracting new businesses to the riverfront zones. Through this public input process a creative and flexible, plan is emerging that will address a mixture of uses, including transit and transportation, the ability of people to get around and access the river, parking and open areas, while building on the unique character and heritage of the working waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The waterfront is a hidden treasure,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re anxious to learn the details of the emerging preferred plan as we begin to set the direction of the waterfront now and into the future.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The project consulting team from EDSA, Inc. of Baltimore previously conducted public meetings on the Lehigh River Waterfront Master Plan in September and Decembe<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1796/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1796/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1796/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:25:00 GMT U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Mayor Ed Pawlowski today urged the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to increase the amount of information it shares with the public natural regarding gas pipelines. Casey and Pawlowski spoke at a news conference at 13th &amp; Allen streets in the city, the site of a deadly natural gas explosion and fire last year.<br /> <br /> An independent report recently gave Pennsylvania a score of .75 out of 3 in terms of transparency on pipeline information. &ldquo;More than a year after the disaster in Allentown, the public still cannot access incident data or inspection records,&rdquo; said Senator Casey. &ldquo;Pennsylvanians have the right to know if they&rsquo;re living near an aging pipeline and have access to information about any damage sustained to pipes in their community. I urge the Public Utility Commission to quickly increase transparency on these issues.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Pawlowski said, &ldquo;We do not have exact locations of gas lines within city streets. The average pipeline age in the city is 90-to-120-years. I join Senator Casey in urging UGI and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to share more information with us about pipeline locations and urge the company to do everything in its power to speed-up the replacement of its aging infrastructure.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The Pipeline Safety Trust released a report showing Pennsylvania ranks 25th among states for transparency on pipeline information. The report found that the <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1795/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1795/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1795/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:51:16 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will receive more than $265,000 in a Recycling Program Performance Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The grant reflects the more than 19,500 tons of residential and commercial materials recycled by city residents and businesses in 2010.<br /> <br /> Performance grants from the state are based on the type and weight of materials recycled from residential, commercial and drop-off recycling programs. The grant award letter from the state cites the city&rsquo;s &ldquo;exemplary efforts.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Our residents and businesses have whole heartedly embraced the idea of green living through recycling and waste reduction,&rdquo; Mayor Ed Pawlowski stated. &ldquo;Allentown has been at the forefront of recycling efforts and was one of the first cities in the Lehigh Valley to recycle electronic components, to have curbside recycling of cardboard boxes, plastics 1 through 7 and major appliances.&ldquo; <br /> <br /> Pennsylvania Act 101 mandates curbside recycling in the state&rsquo;s larger municipalities (population over 10,000) and offers grants to be applied toward recycling program sustainability and enhancements.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The grants are a key to the city&rsquo;s recycling programs and allow us to provide quality services and programs to our residents and businesses,&rdquo; said Ann Saurman, Manager of the Bureau of Recycling and Solid<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1794/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1794/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1794/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:55:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Phantoms announced a new multifaceted partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network at an afternoon news conference in City Hall.<br /> <br /> LVHN will be a founding partner of the city's new 8500 seat hockey arena and will be the &quot;official health care provider&quot; for the team when it relocates to Allentown in September 2013.<br /> <br /> The announcement was made by team owners Rob and Jim Brooks, Ronald W. Swinfard, M.D., president and chief executive officer of LVHN and Mayor Ed Pawlowski.<br /> <br /> LVHN also proposes to launch and operate a Sports Medicine and Fitness Destination Center in the new office complex that will connect to the arena.&nbsp; The new center will offer outpatient rehabilitation, concussion and brain injury diagnosis and treatment, a sports performance program for all ages and a medical fitness center for the Phantoms and the community.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Mayor Pawlowski said, &quot;<span style="line-height: 115%">I am elated with LVHN&rsquo;s decision to launch and operate a Sports Medicine and Fitness Destination Center in an office complex that will connect to the arena.&nbsp;The center&rsquo;s treatment facilities and programs will bring more people to the downtown.&nbsp;The Phantoms are committed to establishing partnerships with local businesses and institutions.&nbsp;I look forward to similar announcements in the months ahead.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &quot;LVHN has <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1791/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1791/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1791/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:30:53 GMT Mayor Ed Pawlowski delivered a speech to the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce during a sold out breakfast on Wednesday, March 7 at the Holiday Inn at 9th &amp; Hamilton streets in Allentown. <a href="/Portals/0/files/news/Speech%20-%20Chamber%202012.pdf"><br /> <br /> Download the mayor's speech. </a><br /><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1784/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1784/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1784/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:31:57 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Planning Commission today reviewed and conditionally approved mixed-use private development on the arena block as per plans submitted last month by the Allentown Commercial Industrial Development Authority. Those plans include a hotel, office building, shared space and additional parking connected to the previously approved 8,500-seat arena on the block that covers Seventh Street to Eighth Street from Hamilton Street to Linden Street. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;The main idea behind Allentown&rsquo;s Neighborhood Improvement Zone is to spur private development, with the arena project acting as a catalyst, so it&rsquo;s exciting that the commission has recognized these additional mixed-use plans as compatible with the arena and positive for the city,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski.<br /> <br /> Specifically, the Allentown Planning Commission today conditionally approved planned arena block mixed-use development components, summarized as follows: <br /> <br /> &bull; Multi-purpose Arena: The previously approved on January 10, 2012 multipurpose arena with a minimum of 8,500 seats for hockey games, 10,000 seats for concerts, approximately 36 suites, 1,000 club seats, restaurant and retail facilities along West Hamilton Street<br /> <br /> &bull; Office Building: A high-rise office building with seven floor levels totaling approximately 200,000 square feet. <br /> <br /> &bull; Hotel: An approximately 180-ro<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1783/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1783/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1783/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:26:46 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Health Bureau reminds the public that March 18 &ndash; 24 is National Poison Prevention Week; a time to raise public awareness about poisoning hazards and their prevention. More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation&rsquo;s poison centers, including the 1-800-222-1222 hotline.<br /> <br /> According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in 2008 nearly 2,000 Pennsylvania residents died due to poisoning; an average of one resident every five hours. A poisoning is defined as an accidental or intentional drug overdose; misuse or abuse of prescription drugs, exposure to gases like carbon monoxide or ingestion of toxic food stuffs (including alcohol poisoning or other substances). Drug poisoning accounts for 92 percent of all poisoning deaths in the Commonwealth. The state Department of Health reported 351 poisoning deaths in Lehigh and Northampton counties over the period 2004-2008; 247 occurred in the 20-49 age group. As is happening across the United States and the Commonwealth, the Lehigh Valley is seeing an upsurge of prescription drug-related deaths and hospitalizations, especially in the adult population.<br /> <br /> Child poisoning deaths and hospitalizations are not as frequent an occurrence but are most common for the age group under six years old and most frequently happen in the home setting. Personal care products (e.g. cosmetics, creams lotions, mouthwash), h<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1781/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1781/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1781/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:44:30 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">City of Allentown street crews have repaired a sinkhole that opened on the road surface on N. 17th Street between Turner and Chew streets on Tuesday, March 6. N. 17th Street has been completely reopened to traffic. <br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1780/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1780/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1780/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:17:04 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will begin making site improvements next week on the south side of Turner Street between North Fountain and 10th streets as part of its partnership with the Old Allentown community. <br /> <br /> The work is the culmination of community planning performed in 2009, and will enhance the Old Allentown Historic District. It is the first phase of a two phase project. <br /> <br /> Phase I construction and inspection is funded by more than $440,000 from the Federal Highway Administration. Turner Street work will include a brick accented sidewalk, decorative pedestrian scale streetlights and other improvements. Decorative street name signs and poles will be installed throughout Old Allentown.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I am elated that the administration recognizes the value of funding projects like this in our urban core,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;The continued revitalization of this area is important to our growth and vitality as a city.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Elm Street funding that had been allocated to Old Allentown was utilized to work on the design which was done by architect Chris Brown of Brown Design Corp. Engineering services were provided by Alfred Benesch &amp; Company.<br /> <br /> It will be necessary to limit parking in the work area in order to make the improvements. Crews will be on the job beginning Monday, March 12. All work is expected to be completed by May 31.<br /> <b<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1779/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1779/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1779/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:23:55 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">City of Allentown street crews will be repairing a sinkhole on the road surface on N. 17th Street between Turner and Chew streets. N. 17th Street will be closed from Turner Street to Chew Street until further notice.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1776/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1776/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1776/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:42:08 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is looking for a few volunteer resident leaders. Interested persons are invited to attend the Allentown Resident Leadership Institute sessions to be held on Saturday, March 17th and Saturday, March 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Hospital Conference Center. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided at both sessions. <br /> <br /> Participants will learn how to be an empowered and dynamic leader and will learn the components of effective leadership such as communication, diversity and cultural competence, and the art of delegation. Participants will also learn how to lead from their integrity &ndash; not their ego, how to take care of themselves as leaders, and effective ways to welcome new residents into existing neighborhood groups.<br /> <br /> The session is open to residents interested in coordinating neighborhood activities for the first time, to current leaders who want to rejuvenate neighborhood activities and to residents who simply want to hone the leadership skills they practice in their many roles. <br /> <br /> The Neighborhood Resident Leaders program helps residents to connect with each other and with the city. &ldquo;Resident leaders serve a vital role in the cohesion of a neighborhood,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;The city itself is in turn strengthened by vibrant neighborhoods. They are the lifeblood of a growing municipality.&rdquo; <br /> <br<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1775/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1775/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1775/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:03:38 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Ground was broken this morning for the Lehigh River East Side Trail project in the City of Allentown. Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Congressman Charlie Dent, Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Director Greg A. Weitzel, and representatives of the Trexler Trust, the Delaware &amp; Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Friends of the Allentown Parks were among the participants.<br /> <br /> The project entails development of a 1.5 mile multi-purpose trail from north to south along the east side of the Lehigh River on city owned land from Canal Park to Kimmet&rsquo;s Lock Park. The trail, ranging from 8&rsquo; to 12&rsquo; in width, will be used for walking, bicycling, hiking, jogging, fitness, river viewing, and nature trail activities. <br /> <br /> A preliminary design study and drawings were completed in three phases that outlined the project history, location and description and provided specific preliminary design drawings. The city Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources matching Keystone Grant of $125,000, as well as a Lehigh County Green Futures grant of $187,500 for the work. Funds from Harry C. Trexler Trust are also being utilized to pay for the $350,000 project.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;There is a need in the Allentown area to provide quality park and recreation services and<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1773/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1773/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1773/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:44:11 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Commercial Industrial Development Authority is submitting plans to the Allentown Planning Commission for review and approval of additional mixed use development on the arena block. The block covers Seventh Street to Eighth Street from Hamilton Street to Linden Street. The new submission includes plans for the previously approved 8,500 seat arena, plus a hotel, office building and additional parking.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The further development of the arena block and the advantages of locating the Neighborhood Improvement Zone are going to be transformational for the City of Allentown,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;This will result in hundreds of thousands of additional visitors that will be a tremendous boost to our economy.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The Allentown Planning Commission approved the arena plan in January. Demolition of the arena block began just after the first of the year. <br /> <br /> The updated arena block plan includes approximately one million square feet of development, encompassing the arena, office, hotel, parking facilities and shared space. The preliminary plan for the hotel includes approximately 175 rooms. The office building would contain approximately 200,000 square feet. The capacity of north and south parking areas is up to approximately 750 spaces. The structure would be 133 feet tall to the top of the office roof measured from Hamilton Street.<br /> <br /> The<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1770/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1770/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1770/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:10:24 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Mayor Ed Pawlowski took the wraps off details of Phase 1 of a $3 million investment into West End Theatre District&rsquo;s streetscaping and infrastructure during a noon news conference today at Civic Theatre.<br /> <br /> The first phase, which will get underway this spring, includes new lighting, trees and landscaping, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, benches and additional aesthetic and structural enhancements along the 500 and 600 blocks of N 19th Street (Liberty to Tilghman). The project is funded by $1.5 million in state RACP money matched by $1.5 city capital improvement bond funding.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The neighborhood is the city&rsquo;s western gateway,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. It has tremendous potential to foster traditional neighborhood development. This marks the first significant investment into West End Theatre District in decades. Our goal is to make the neighborhood more attractive, appealing and pedestrian friendly, thus encouraging commerce and additional private investment in the district.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> News conference attendees were able to view project boards and learn details about the selection of materials, colors and designs.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski was joined at the news conference by lead architect, Chris Brown of Brown Design Corp., Greg Duncan, Principal Engineer of T&amp;M Associates of Bethlehem and Mike Drabenstott, President of the West End Alliance. They addressed pr<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1769/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1769/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1769/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:17:08 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is proud to host its inaugural &ldquo;Allentown Restaurant Month&rdquo; throughout the month of March. <br /> <br /> This program will give diners from the Lehigh Valley and beyond a great reason to explore the delicious and vast array of restaurants that call Allentown home. All districts of the city will be highlighted. Restaurants will offer special pricing, unique dishes and on select evenings live entertainment.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Allentown is blessed with fantastic restaurants,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;During Restaurant Month patrons can choose from some 30 participating fine dining or ethnic specialty restaurants, diners and pizza establishments. We are fortunate they call Allentown home.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> At a news conference, hosted at Louie&rsquo;s, Louie Belletieri said, &ldquo;Louie's is proud to be part of Allentown's Restaurant Month. Our restaurants will get a chance to show the Lehigh Valley that Allentown is a great place to dine. Our family has been serving great food in Allentown since 1958.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The restaurants in the Hamilton District are excited about the opportunity to showcase their favorite dishes to new and returning diners,&rdquo; said Leslie Suhr, the Hamilton District Main Street Manager. &ldquo;Whether it&rsquo;s old favorites like the Bay Leaf or Allentown Brew Works or new additions like the Cosmopolitan, check out wh<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1765/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1765/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1765/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:24:03 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Police Chief Roger MacLean today introduced four new police officers during a ceremony in City Council chambers.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski administered the oath of office to Officer Ismael Segarra of Easton, Officer John Perez of Tobyhanna, Officer Anthony Bowland of Bath and Officer Victor Diaz-Gonzalez of Allentown. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;Pay strict attention to your instructors,&rdquo; advised Pawlowski. &ldquo;Police work is a very rewarding profession, but it is also dangerous. Police officers are called to scenes that most other people want to avoid. I admire all of you for your bravery and your courage. The people of this city, our business workers and owners and all our visitors appreciate your efforts every single day,&rdquo; the mayor added.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are confident that our increased manpower will make a positive impact on increasing public safety across the city,&rdquo; said MacLean. &ldquo;I appreciate the commitment and dedication exhibited daily by my officers and supervisors. I want to welcome these new officers on-board.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Officer Segarra served in the US Marine Corps for four years and is currently in the Marine Corps Reserves. He is pursuing a BA in Criminal Justice.<br /> <br /> Officer Perez has a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice from East Stroudsburg University.<br /> <br /> Officer Bowland has a BA from the University of North Texas.<br<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1761/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1761/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1761/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:14:00 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation, together with the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), will host a free training session to give volunteer administrators of all local youth sports groups&rsquo; insight on operating their organizations. <br /> <br /> The training, the first of its kind in the city, will be held on Wednesday, February 8 from 6pm-9pm at the West End Youth Center at 848 N. 20th Street. The monthly A-YOUTH meeting will precede the training at 5:30pm. The training is part of the city&rsquo;s goal to ensure safe and consistent youth sports opportunities for everyone involved in youth sports while maximizing participation across the board.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Many leaders of local youth sports groups volunteer their time to run their programs,&rdquo; said Randy Cope, Recreation Program Manager of Allentown&rsquo;s Parks and Recreation Department. &ldquo;This training will educate them on the best practices for volunteer youth sports administrators. The training will also offer examples from successful youth groups around the country and offer specific strategies to become a well-structured and sustainable organization.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The training will be conducted by NAYS leadership and is customized to meet the specific needs of Allentown&rsquo;s Parks and Recreation Department, as well as that of the local youth sports groups. The session will also cover volunte<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1759/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1759/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1759/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:05:02 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small; "><span style="font-family: Tahoma; ">Allentown water distribution crews have restored water service to up to a dozen properties in the 700 block of N. Main Street. A water main break in that area interrupted service this morning. N. Main Street will remain closed from Washington Street to Carey Street until repairs can be made next week.</span></span><font face="Tahoma" size="1"> <div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: x-small; "><span style="font-family: Tahoma; ">--30--</span></span></div> <br /> </font><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1757/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1757/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1757/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:29:01 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown has an exciting project cooking. <br /> <br /> Throughout the month of March, Allentown will host its inaugural Restaurant Month. <br /> <br /> This promotion will entice diners from the Lehigh Valley and beyond to explore the delicious and vast array of restaurants that call Allentown home. All districts of the city will be highlighted. Restaurants will offer special pricing, unique dishes and on select evenings live entertainment. <br /> <br /> Each time someone visits a participating restaurant during this program, they will receive an entry form to win a number of great prizes including restaurant gift cards, passes to Allentown cultural attractions and more.<br /> <br /> Many cities hold &ldquo;Restaurant Week&rdquo; events, but Allentown offers such a full menu it cannot be fit into one week. This program will feature different facets of Allentown&rsquo;s menu and dining options during themed weeks. The length and diversity of this program gives participants ample time to explore the eclectic tastes of the third largest city in Pennsylvania. <br /> <br /> Allentown destinations like Allentown Symphony Hall and the many museums throughout the Queen City are participating by offering specials to visitors during this month as well. <br /> <br /> Some of the restaurants already on board include: Queen City Diner, Youell&rsquo;s Oyster House, Sangria, Bay Leaf, Cosmopolitan, Bull &amp; Bear, Penn Pi<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1756/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1756/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1756/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:47:09 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today announced the nomination of Fran Dougherty to become the city&rsquo;s next Managing Director, a position Dougherty held with the city from 2006 into September 2008.<br /> <br /> Dougherty comes back to city government where he served from 2006 until the fall of 2008 as Director of Community &amp; Economic Development and later as Managing Director. He most recently served as Deputy Chief of Operations/Deputy Chief Business Officer for the School District of Philadelphia, where he was responsible for approximately 4,000 employees and a combined budget of approximately $600 million.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;According to Pawlowski, &ldquo;Fran left here to return to Philadelphia to work for the Philadelphia School District. But I think Fran&rsquo;s heart and professional interest in government never left him.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Dougherty is a Certified City Manager with the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA). He and Pawlowski have kept in touch over the last three years. &ldquo;When I contacted Fran about Ken Bennington&rsquo;s departure, he expressed a desire to return to city or township government and had indeed been exploring other government options for his next career position,&rdquo; Pawlowski said. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;Fran really defined the role of Managing Director in the City of Allentown,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;He had a firm grasp on what neede<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1755/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1755/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1755/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:32:26 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Mayor Ed Pawlowski delivered his 2012 State of the City Address to an audience of more than 125 persons at the Allentown Rotary Club today at the Holiday Inn at 904 Hamilton Street.<br /> <br /> The text of the mayor's State of the City Address follows...<br /> <br /> It is always a pleasure to update this organization on the State of our City and an honor to be surrounded by so many partners who represent the very core of what makes Allentown great.<br /> <br /> So before I go any further, let me quickly recognize the members of city government who are here today.<br /> <br /> First our elected officials:<br /> <br /> Council Vice President Mike Schlossberg, Council members Julio Guridy, Ray O&rsquo;Connell , Jeanette Eichenwald and (I say this with the greatest respect) our most senior statesman returning councilman Frank Concannon.<br /> <br /> I'd also like to welcome our newly elected City Controller Mary Ellen Koval. <br /> Let me also recognize the members of my cabinet who are present&hellip;.. (Jerry Snyder, Gary Strathearn, Bob Scheirer, Sara Hailstone and Ken Bennington etc&hellip;.Karen Lore and Diane Miller&hellip;&hellip;Vicky Kistler<br /> <br /> It is always a great occasion when our community&rsquo;s leading lights can convene in solidarity and support of the common tie which binds us all - - the City of Allentown.<br /> <br /> Even when we disagree, we remain committed to our common ideals an<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1753/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1753/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1753/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:01:57 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Time is running out for commercial property owners and homeowners to apply for the benefits of an energy conservation program in the City of Allentown. The deadline to apply to obtain low-cost loans for energy-saving projects, as well as up to $5,000 in rebates and grants (for commercial property owners only) is March 16, 2012. <br /> <br /> The program &ndash; called the Allentown Energy Conservation Program &ndash; is funded by a $1 million grant the city received from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2009. The grant has provided funding for a number of projects to improve the city&rsquo;s energy infrastructure, such as &ldquo;smart&rdquo; lighting controls for City Hall, a number of solar-powered trash compactors on city streets, and more. In order to pass some of the benefits of the grant on directly to the city&rsquo;s residents and businesses, a loan/grant/rebate program was established by the city.<br /> <br /> Working with two lending partners &ndash; AFC First Financial Corporation for residential loans and the Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) for commercial entities &ndash; the city has set aside $140,000 to substantially reduce the cost of upgrading heating and cooling equipment (including solar thermal hot-water systems), lighting, insulation, and windows and doors.<br /> <br /> Loans to Residents &ndash; AFC First, which provides 100% financing for qualifying energy-efficiency home improvements (to u<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1749/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1749/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1749/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:45:07 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is being honored with a 2012 Childhood Obesity Prevention Award from the U.S Conference of Mayors. <br /> <br /> Mayor Ed Pawlowski was in Washington, D.C. today to accept a ceremonial $120,000 check for the city&rsquo;s &ldquo;Fruits and Veggies on the Move&rdquo; program. A branded truck, loaded with fruits and vegetables, traveled to playgrounds and recreation sites throughout the city over the summer offering free fruits and veggies to children.<br /> <br /> According to Pawlowski, &ldquo;More than 40 percent of our kids are either overweight or obese. We are tackling that problem head-on.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The city Department of Parks &amp; Recreation, Health Bureau and the Allentown School District partner everyday to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and make good choices for healthier lifestyles to prevent chronic diseases among children.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We want to thank private donors and our grocery store partners for their effort to supply the fruits and vegetables and prepare them for consumption,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;We are serious about taking the necessary steps to reduce childhood obesity in Allentown. We have opened a state of the art destination playground at Cedar Creek Parkway that attracts children from miles around. Active children are healthy children. I guarantee you that we are going to put these funds to great use.&rdquo; <br /> <br /><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1748/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1748/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1748/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:17:34 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today announced the resignation of Managing Director Ken Bennington.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski said, &ldquo;Ken came to the city in 2007 as Director of the Bureau of Building Standards &amp; Safety. I nominated him for the position of Managing Director about one year later.&rdquo; Before taking his job with the city, Ken had been the Manager of Hilltown Township. He had also been an elected township supervisor.<br /> <br /> According to Pawlowski, &ldquo;Ken tells me that he leaves with a heavy heart, adding that it is the proper time for him move on and explore other opportunities. He wishes us the best as Allentown moves forward towards a very bright future. Ken made valuable contributions to the city during his tenure. His organizational skills and his temperament were suited to the managerial role. He will be missed.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Bennington&rsquo;s last day on the job will be Friday, February 3. <br /> <br /> Pawlowski said he will begin his search for a new Managing Director immediately.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--<br /> </span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1746/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1746/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1746/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:20:34 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will be participating in tomorrow&rsquo;s Northeast Business Leaders Forum on Jobs and the Economy at the White House. The event is hosted by the White House Business Council and Business Forward and is being held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House. <br /> <br /> Pawlowski will be joined at the conference by Lehigh Valley Health Network President/CEO Dr. Ronald Swinford; Ed Diaz, immediate past chairman of the U. S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Region V and President &amp; CEO of Valley Collection Services, a division of National Commercial Services, Inc.; and Chuck Rizzo, President/CEO of Eastern Time Inc. Business leaders from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island have been invited to talk about jobs and the economy and ways the Administration and the Northeast Business community can work together.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I have found White House representatives very willing to listen to our concerns and our ideas,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;I applaud the White House for taking the initiative to put these conferences together to listen to local leaders and to hear from the small business leaders whose growth and success are keys to expanding our economy.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Since April 2011, the White House Business Council has conducted more than 500 meetings <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1745/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1745/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1745/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:56:26 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today presented Drum Majors Awards to 54 volunteers in the City of Allentown. The mayor was joined by representatives of the SERV Allentown initiative in recognizing and thanking the volunteers&nbsp;who have contributed more than 8,300 hours of service during a ceremony at the Lehigh County Senior Center. <br /> <br /> SERV Allentown is part of AARP Pennsylvania&rsquo;s &ldquo;Create The Good&rdquo; program. It encompasses support of Cities of Service, a national bi-partisan coalition of mayors of cities of all sizes working together to engage citizens in helping to solve pressing local challenges.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski told the audience, &ldquo;Whenever I am at a gathering of other municipal officials, I make it a point to tell them that Allentown has great community partners. That includes individuals or organizations who supply the dollars and individuals and organizations who contribute their time and talents to make Allentown a better place to live, work and play. You are all to be commended. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for your continued commitment to your fellow man, and to your community. Across the country, citizens are performing work in their community today to honor the memory of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I&rsquo;m sure that Dr. King would be very proud of all of you.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Today&rsquo;s volunteers have provided service in p<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1744/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1744/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1744/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:38:15 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this morning at The Video Game Store at 809 Hamilton Street. Store owner Steve Green cut the ribbon with help from Mayor Ed Pawlowski, City Council President Peter Schweyer, building owner Rich Kontir, Hamilton District Main Street Manager Leslie Suhr and Ellen Kern, Chief of Staff to State Senator Pat Browne.<br /> <br /> The Video Game Store buys, sells and trades Video games, DVDs, PlayStations and the like.<br /> <br /> This is Steve Green&rsquo;s first business venture in Allentown.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1743/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1743/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1743/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:31:45 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Waste Management&rsquo;s mobile neighborhood watch program partnership with the City of Allentown is paying huge dividends. <br /> <br /> A Waste Management route crew observed a fire on a porch at 339 N. 15th Street at about 5am on Friday, December 16. They called 911 on their cell phones, grabbed their truck&rsquo;s fire extinguisher, ran to the house and put out the fire.<br /> <br /> The fire was caused by a cardboard box that was blown against a spotlight used for Christmas decorations. According to the Allentown Fire Department, the damage was minimal thanks to the quick action by the crew.<br /> <br /> Waste Management&rsquo;s Waste Watch program, which was instituted in the city in September 2010, emphasizes observation by Waste Management route crews and prompt communication with police and other public safety resources. Crew members receive program training from a company security specialist.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;When Waste Management&rsquo;s Waste Watch program came to Allentown about 15 months ago I said it will bring many new eyes and ears to the cause of public safety in Allentown,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;The crew is to be commended for being alert and for taking potentially life-saving actions.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Driver Silas Robinson and helpers Isaac King and Vinicio Minier had completed their route when they saw the flames and used their Waste Watch and safety training to aver<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1742/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1742/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1742/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:59:35 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The demolition contractor for the hockey arena project in downtown Allentown has determined that for safety reasons temporary street closures will be in effect on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14.<br /> <br /> Linden Street between Seventh and Eighth streets will be closed on Friday, January 13th from 8:30am to 3pm. A detour route will be established South on Seventh Street, west on Union Street, north on Eighth Street and left back onto Linden Street.<br /> <br /> Hamilton Street between Seventh and Eighth streets will be closed on Saturday, January 14th from 7am to 3pm. A detour route will be established North on Eighth Street, east on Turner Street, south on Seventh Street and left back onto Hamilton Street.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp; <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1741/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1741/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1741/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:51:29 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Today, representatives of the City of Allentown are going door-to-door to the approximately 132 businesses currently operating in the city&rsquo;s Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) to hand out the new Allentown and Pennsylvania state tax forms and to invite owners, managers and business accountants to a free workshop session on how to fill them out. Forms are due January 30, 2012 and can be downloaded from the internet at <a href="http://www.allentownpa.gov/">http://www.allentownpa.gov/</a>.<br /> <br /> The workshop will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in City Council Chambers in City Hall at 435 Hamilton Street. There will be two sessions: a Morning Workshop from 9:30 &ndash; 11:30am and an Afternoon Workshop from 1:30 &ndash; 3:30pm. The city Director of Finance and others will be on hand to walk participants through the reporting process and to answer questions. <br /> <br /> All businesses within the NIZ must complete an annual tax report by Jan. 30 each year so the City of Allentown Finance Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue may certify state taxes to be transferred to the NIZ Fund established for the redevelopment project.<br /> <br /> The Neighborhood Improvement Zone program was established by Act 50 of 2009 and Act 26 of 2011. Certain state and local taxes &ndash; not including real estate taxes - collected by businesses within the NIZ will be used to finance various economic d<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1740/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1740/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1740/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:39:07 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Charles Kalan and Susan Rutt, Co-Chairs of Arts Ovation, announce that nominations are now being requested for awards to be presented at the Allentown Arts Commission&rsquo;s Annual Luncheon.<br /> <br /> The public is invited to submit their nominations in writing or via email in the following categories: 1. OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL, PERFORMING OR LITERARY ARTS: may be an individual and/or arts organizations; 2. OUTSTANDING SERVICE OR CONTRIBUTIONS: may be an individual who has had a major impact on the arts through devoted service in a volunteer capacity; an individual, business, foundation or organization who has had a major impact on the arts by contributing financial and/or in-kind resources; or an institution which has had a major impact on the arts; 3. EMERGING ARTIST AWARD: a new award created in 2009 for emerging talent. Only fully completed nomination forms will be considered.<br /> <br /> The established guidelines state the eligibility for awards: arts organizations or individuals whose achievements have had a significant and positive impact on the citizens of Allentown and the quality of life in Allentown&rsquo;s cultural community. Award recipients will be selected from the nominations received by the Arts Ovation Committee of the Allentown Arts Commission.<br /> <br /> Nominations must be submitted by no later than January 20, 2012. Each must contain the name, address, phone number and <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1739/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1739/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1739/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:24:15 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The demolition contractor for the hockey arena project in downtown Allentown has determined that for safety reasons they need to close the 700 block of Linden Street tomorrow (Friday) between the hours of 8:30 am to 3pm. A detour route will be established (South on 7th Street, west on Union Street, north on 8th Street, left back onto Linden Street)</span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1738/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1738/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1738/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:43:53 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Demolition crews began tearing down buildings today to make way for an 8,500 seat professional hockey arena in Downtown Allentown.<br /> <br /> The arena to be constructed in the area of Seventh to Eighth Street from Hamilton Street to Linden Street will serve as the home of the Phantoms franchise in the American Hockey League.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;This is a tremendous next step in the plan to completely change the course of Allentown,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;I looked forward to this day with great anticipation. This is going to be a transformational project for the city.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> At this time, no street closures are planned, however there could be temporary lane closures to facilitate dust and debris controls as work approaches the street sides of the buildings.<br /> <br /> Brandenburg is the demolition contractor. According to the company's website, Brandenburg, established in 1968, is one of the nation&rsquo;s premier demolition firms with a staff in excess of 400 full-time permanent employees. <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1734/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1734/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1734/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:15:44 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">SERV Allentown&rsquo;s Snow Way Out program is getting a helping hand, armed with a shovel, from TeenWorks. The United Way of the Lehigh Valley organization of union members and Lehigh Valley teens has donated more than $1,400 which has been used for the purchase of snow shovels, salt, salt spreaders and a snow blower from True Value.<br /> <br /> The items were delivered to the Lehigh County Senior Center today and were unveiled at a news conference attended by Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Volunteer Chief Service Officer Joshua Keller, Lehigh County Senior Center Executive Director Rick Daugherty, United Way Director of TeenWorks Gregg Potter, True Value Store Manager Jerry Wasson, Assistant Store Manager Carol Leaser and TennWorks teen board members. True Value employees donated $500 to TeenWorks for the purchase of the snow blower. The store also provided a 25% discount on the items.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are extremely grateful to TeenWorks for their thoughtful donation and to True Value for their generous discount,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;I know the senior citizens will really appreciate what the volunteers will be doing for them.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> City crews picked-up the all the items today and delivered them to the senior center, where they will be stored. The senior center is coordinating snow removal efforts with the &ldquo;Snow Way Out&rdquo; volunteers. In addition as of today, 13 families have app<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1732/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1732/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1732/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:25:23 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">There is new added incentive to make your reservations for the City of Allentown&rsquo;s New Year&rsquo;s Eve Gala designed to ring-in 2012 and the 250th Anniversary of the city. <br /> <br /> All attendees will have a chance to win tickets to a &ldquo;Private Skating Party with the Phantoms Players&rdquo; held during the inaugural year of the Phantoms! <br /> <br /> &ldquo;I want to thank Rob and Jim Brooks for their contribution,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;It will be a great opportunity to meet the players and enjoy our state of the art arena.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The &ldquo;Bells Will Be Ringing Gala&rdquo; serves as a fundraiser and is open to anyone. With a year of wonderful festivities planned &ndash; fundraising is essential. The cost is $125 per person and includes a three-course meal, open bar, entertainment by Roberta Meek and Lucky Seven and commemorative souvenirs. <br /> <br /> Another feature of the gala is a silent auction with a wide variety of prizes including vacation getaways, historical items, recreational and gift shop items. <br /> <br /> While the gala takes place inside the Holiday Inn in the 900 block of Hamilton Street, a free and family-friendly outdoor celebration will be taking place just a short walk away.<br /> <br /> On December 31st the 800 Block of Hamilton Street will be filled with performers including the Allentown School District&rsquo;s Orchestra, Helm&rsquo;s <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1729/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1729/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1729/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:23:38 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small; "><span style="font-family: Tahoma; ">The newly designed New Year&rsquo;s Eve bell will arrive at PPL Plaza in the 800 block of Hamilton Street from the Da Vinci Science Center on Tuesday, December 27 at approximately 5:00pm. The operation of the bell will be tested at that time in advance of the ceremonial lowering on New Year&rsquo;s Eve at midnight to mark the beginning of 2012 and the year-long celebration of the City of Allentown&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary. <br /> <br /> The 34-inch-tall bell was modeled after the town bell that was cast in 1769 and is shown at the Liberty Bell Museum at Zion&rsquo;s Church near the corner of Sixth and Hamilton streets. A bell was chosen as the city&rsquo;s New Year&rsquo;s Eve symbol to signify its heritage for storing and protecting America&rsquo;s Liberty Bell during its Revolutionary War.<br /> <br /> The replica was constructed by Da Vinci Science Center educators Joseph Schoenly and Edward Mooney with a wooden frame and a skin formed with poster board material, gauze, and plaster. Its circumference is approximately 48 inches and its weight is approximately 200 pounds. It will be painted silver and decorated with fiber optic and LED lights provided by Off-Grid Technologies, Bethlehem, Pa., along with scientific &ldquo;bright ideas&rdquo; from students visiting the Da Vinci Science Center on field trips.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: x-small; "><span<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1728/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1728/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1728/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:07:20 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown&rsquo;s Department of Parks and Recreation is embarking on a new community partnership with The Salvation Army, located at 144 N. 8th Street in Allentown.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been looking to create partnerships that will encourage more children to be active,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;We want to reduce the childhood obesity rate and we want to get our teens off the streets and into productive programs. I&rsquo;m glad the Salvation Army is partnering with the city on the effort.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The department and The Salvation Army will collaborate to increase programs and activities for at-risk youth in the downtown area, including the popular &ldquo;Midnight Basketball&rdquo; program. Midnight Basketball is coordinated by the Allentown Mentoring Enrichment Network (AMEN), and provides a haven for teenage youth to engage in constructive activities during peak risk hours. The program also provides mentoring, tutoring, and career development all year-round. The program&rsquo;s &ldquo;No Workshop, No Jumpshot&rdquo; motto keeps students engaged not only physically but educationally as well. Midnight Basketball runs Fridays from 9pm-12am through March 2.<br /> <br /> Other programs will include youth indoor soccer, gang prevention, fire safety and prevention, nutrition education, youth fitness, open youth basketball, Dodgeball leagues, leadership training, career <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1727/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1727/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1727/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:45:40 GMT <strong><u><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Mayor Ed Pawlowski issued the following statement on the closing of the Occupy Allentown camp.</span></span></u></strong><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma"><br /> <br /> &ldquo;Since the beginning of Occupy Allentown, it has been my objective to balance the protesters right of free speech, with keeping the city safe.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We have attempted to strike that balance on a daily basis. While our constitution requires city governments to facilitate speech by citizens, we also have the authority and responsibility to regulate associated behaviors on behalf of the public in accordance with, and pursuant to, the laws of the city.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The city has allowed Occupy Allentown considerable time to share its messages with the public, for which they do not have the required permits. Notwithstanding, the encampment has continued to expand and has now caused the city to seek compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The City of Allentown today shutdown the 7th &amp; Hamilton streets encampment. City police officers ordered the occupants to remove their belongings. Items that were not removed by the owners are being held at the City of Allentown Garage. Owners can claim their property by calling the Allentown Police Department Property Office at 610-437-7687 Monday through Friday between the hours of<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1725/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1725/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1725/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:34:48 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Joggers and walkers who are out getting a jump-start on their New Year&rsquo;s resolutions are noticing something that looks like a new obstacle course in the western portion of Allentown&rsquo;s Cedar Creek Parkway.&nbsp; But the long stretch of 24-inch piping laid through the area is not part of some new fitness craze &ndash; it&rsquo;s the future path for water to flow from the city&rsquo;s pipe network into Lehigh County Authority&rsquo;s (LCA).<br /> <br /> The two-phase water system interconnection was planned back in 2008 when LCA and Allentown negotiated a long-term water supply agreement to help maintain an adequate supply of fresh drinking water for the growing areas of western Lehigh County. <br /> <br /> The first phase of construction was completed in 2010 and cost $4.5 million, to provide LCA with 2 million gallons of water per day directly from the city&rsquo;s Schantz Spring source.<br /> <br /> The second phase of the project is under construction now and will eventually provide an average of 7 million gallons of water per day to LCA, using the city&rsquo;s excess capacity from its water treatment plant. When the second phase is completed, by the end of 2012, the current Schantz Spring connection will be closed.<br /> <br /> LCA will be laying nearly three miles of 24-inch pipe between the two water systems to complete the project, at a cost of about $4.1 million. Much of this construction has<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1724/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1724/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1724/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:26:51 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Contractors, working under the direction of the Hammes Company, are beginning installation of the construction fencing around the perimeter of the Arena work site. Specifically the fencing is being installed today in the area encompassing Seventh Street and Eighth Street from Hamilton Street to Linden Street. The construction site entrances are expected to be along Linden Street.<br /> <br /> It&rsquo;s the first step in preparing the area for demolition of buildings under ACIDA&rsquo;s control on the Arena block and to make way for construction of the new Arena in downtown Allentown. The fencing is a matter of public safety and standard procedure for construction work. As anticipated, access roads such as Hall St, Court St, Howe St, Edison St and N Silk St, which fall within the area of development, will no longer be accessible.<br /> <br /> Customers will still be able to access the Family Dollar Store at 727 Hamilton Street and Rite Aid&nbsp;at 733&nbsp;Hamilton Street.<br /> <br /> The Allentown Preservation League (APL), a non-profit organization dedicated to focusing attention on the architectural heritage of the City of Allentown, is salvaging items from buildings on the arena block slated for removal. <br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1718/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1718/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1718/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:53:46 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Alvin H. Butz, Inc. is expanding its corporate headquarters in downtown Allentown. <br /> <br /> At a new conference yesterday, Greg L. Butz, president and CEO, announced plans to expand their facilities at 840 Hamilton Street with the purchase of the property located adjacent to their property at 824 and 830 Hamilton Street. The Butz family purchased the property to the east, and will build a 6-story, 50,000 square foot expansion that will include retail space on the first floor and Class A office space on the other five floors. The building will be designed by Roberson Butz Architects and built by Alvin H. Butz Inc. The firm intends to break ground by next summer and plans to have space available for lease in early 2013.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are very optimistic about the future of downtown and give an enormous amount of credit to Mayor Pawlowski for making the brilliant decision to put the Phantom&rsquo;s Hockey Arena downtown,&rdquo; said Butz. <br /> <br /> The establishment of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) was crucial to the decision to expand their current headquarters which is 90% occupied. The NIZ will allow Alvin H. Butz, Inc. to offer space for lease at rates that are well below market rates. <br /> <br /> Butz added, &ldquo;Because of our confidence in the success of the arena and the power of the NIZ we are proud to move forward with the expansion of the Butz Corporate Center. We look f<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1717/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1717/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1717/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:23:04 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski&nbsp;is&nbsp;at the White House in Washington, DC today at the invitation of President Barack Obama.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski&nbsp;is participating in a morning feedback session held by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to discuss shared accomplishments and strategic planning for the next year. The meeting&nbsp;is being held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.<br /> <br /> IThis afternoon, Mayor Pawlowski and First Lady Lisa Pawlowski have been invited to attend a Holiday Reception at the White House.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are extremely flattered to have received the reception invitation and we are honored to attend,&rdquo; said the mayor. &ldquo;Although it is a social and not a working event, I look forward to the opportunity to talk to members of the White House staff and other attendees from municipalities and states across the country. I will be telling them the Allentown, Pennsylvania story and hoping to learn what ideas and programs have been successful in their neck of the woods and learning what they have in common with Allentown.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--<br /> </span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1716/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1716/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1716/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:55:36 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Plans are set for the New Year&rsquo;s Eve celebration designed to ring-in 2012 and the 250th Anniversary of the City of Allentown. Mayor Ed Pawlowski was joined today by New Year&rsquo;s Eve Committee Co-Chairs Ann Saurman and Wendie Lazansky to release event details that their committee has been putting together for the past several months.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The plans they have shaped are nothing short of spectacular,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;The City of Allentown is lucky to have such creative, dedicated and committed volunteers leading the charge. So many people have come together to bring our 250th Anniversary Celebration to fruition.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> On December 31st the 800 Block of Hamilton Street will be filled with jubilee during a free and family-friendly outdoor celebration. Performers include the Allentown School District&rsquo;s Orchestra, Helm&rsquo;s Deep, a local group that plays rock and roll, En Secuencia, East Coast Dance Connection, KiNetiK &ndash; X Dancers and Cover Story. The appearance by En Secuencia is being donated by HOLA Radio. Other features include ice carving by Ice Works, carriage rides by Ironton Livery and Coach, and fire performers from The Burning Hearts Fire and Light Theater. <br /> <br /> Reservations are required for the carriage rides and can be made by calling Wendie Lazandsky at 610-433-7777. Other features include Zumba Dancers who will add to the energy<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1715/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1715/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1715/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:02:07 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">SERV Allentown is gearing-up to help senior citizens this winter with a snow shoveling program. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and representatives of SERV Allentown and the Lehigh County Senior Center announced the program, entitled &ldquo;Snow Way Out,&rdquo; at a news conference this morning at the senior center. <br /> <br /> SERV Allentown is part of AARP Pennsylvania&rsquo;s &ldquo;Create The Good&rdquo; program. It encompasses support of Cities of Service, a national bi-partisan coalition of mayors of cities of all sizes working together to engage citizens in helping to solve pressing local challenges.<br /> <br /> Earlier this year a 40 member task force met over a period of three months to discuss priority needs areas that could be served by volunteers. Those needs were identified under the categories of education, community / neighborhood development, and youth development.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The program will connect volunteers with qualifying senior citizens who can&rsquo;t do the job themselves,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;SERV Allentown, the senior center and our neighborhood groups are collaborating on the effort.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Senior citizens that own homes in Allentown will be able to find an application for the &ldquo;Snow Way Out&rdquo; program on the city website under the SERV Allentown Logo, or may pick-up an application at the senior center. All applicants for snow removal services<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1714/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1714/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1714/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:56:57 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small">Public forums will be held on Tuesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 8 to get public input on the visioning for the City of Allentown Lehigh River Waterfront Master Plan. The sessions will be held from 6:30-8:30pm at Sheridan Elementary School at 541 North 2nd Street. Registration begins at 6:15pm with the meetings to begin at 6:30pm.<br /> <br /> The December 6 meeting will include a summary of the first community forum back in September, a presentation of existing conditions and best practices for the Lehigh Riverfront and an exercise in which attendees will help to create a vision for what the riverfront should be. <br /> <br /> At the conclusion of the December 6 session, the project consulting team from EDSA, Inc. of Baltimore will begin to craft the collected public ideas into loose concepts for the riverfront&rsquo;s enhancement and revitalization.<br /> <br /> The public is then invited back to a December 8 Riverfront &ldquo;Pin-up Session&rdquo; where attendees will be asked to provide input on the initial riverfront design concepts that will have emerged from the public comment and consultant work sessions with stakeholders and city staff. The agenda will include a presentation of the emerging ideas, goals and principles for the Lehigh Riverfront; a facilitated discussion of the &ldquo;likes and dislikes&rdquo; for the initial concept plan; and a &ldquo;post-a-note&rdquo; comment session and one-to-one talks with the project cons<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1712/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1712/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1712/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:21:43 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Employees of the City of Allentown&rsquo;s Parks and Recreation Department are decorating the city's 35&rsquo; Norway Spruce tree for the holidays&nbsp;today in the 800 block of Hamilton Street.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The city&rsquo;s Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will take place from 4pm-7pm on Thursday, December 1 in the Pocket Park in the 800 block of Hamilton Street. Annual visitors to Downtown Allentown will notice that the tree is brighter this year thanks a generous donation from Lee Butz allowing for the purchase of 10,000 additional bulbs. This year&rsquo;s celebration includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Pip the Mouse, Nutcracker and Clara; free horse-drawn carriage rides, live stage performances from Allentown School District Student Groups and the ever-popular Dave Fry, arts and crafts, face painting, and ice carving demonstrations. <br /> <br /> All entertainment is free. The actual tree lighting is scheduled for 6:30pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1710/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1710/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1710/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:06:22 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is among the presenters at the two day Pipeline Safety Trust&rsquo;s 6th annual pipeline safety conference in New Orleans.<br /> <br /> The conference brings together a mix of experience from the affected public, local government, the pipeline industry, and pipeline regulators to discuss the hard issues and create greater understanding to move pipeline safety initiatives forward.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski is speaking at a General Session late this morning entitled, &ldquo;Aging infrastructure? Where&rsquo;s it a problem and what&rsquo;s the fix?<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I appreciate having the opportunity to speak before a group of people who are keenly interested in the problem,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;I hope that by spreading the Allentown story we can spur people to action.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Allentown was rocked by a natural gas explosion and fire last February that claimed five lives, destroyed eight homes and damaged tens of other properties. Pawlowski has made a number of appearances before state and federal government committees and subcommittees seeking legislation to improve pipeline safety.<br /> <br /> In April, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood came to Allentown to announce a national plan to improve pipeline safety, including stepped-up inspections, fines and prioritizing cast iron pipe replacement plans.<br /> <br /> Since 2006, Allentown has experienced three major<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1708/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1708/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1708/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:23:15 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Buildings will be coming down in Downtown Allentown in the next few months as preparations for the construction of a minor league hockey arena get underway, but first the city is turning a &ldquo;green&rdquo; eye to identify and remove those contents that can be recycled and reused. <br /> <br /> This week, the Allentown Preservation League (APL), a non-profit organization dedicated to focusing attention on the architectural heritage of the City of Allentown, will begin salvaging items from buildings on the arena block slated for removal. The work will continue through the end of November. Examples of materials targeted for removal include doors, trim, windows &ndash; all items needed by people renovating their homes. The materials will then be brought to their Architectural Salvage Warehouse at 1518-20 West Walnut Street and sold. All proceeds will benefit APL.<br /> <br /> The APL is a non-profit, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1991. The warehouse stocks a wide array of salvaged building materials. The APL has sponsored an annual preservation awards program in the city for the past 20 years.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1706/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1706/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1706/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:36:13 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Visitors to the City of Allentown can choose from a myriad of vibrant and exciting cultural activities during the holiday season. This year, Allentown is using its popular holiday tradition to lead up to the city&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary Year. The theme for Lights in the Parkway&rsquo;s 2011-2012 Season is &ldquo;Bells Will Be Ringing: Allentown&rsquo;s Turning 250!&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Mayor Ed Pawlowski is excited to see Allentown &ldquo;in Lights.&rdquo; In honor of the anniversary there will be a brand-new custom piece for this 16th Season of Lights In the Parkway. The custom piece measures 19&frac12; x 24 feet and is a marquee of Allentown&rsquo;s anniversary logo. The piece will be surrounded by a dozen illuminated bells and one animated &ldquo;ringing bell.&rdquo; &ldquo;Unfortunately, the weather didn&rsquo;t cooperate or we&rsquo;d be standing in its spot today,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;But don&rsquo;t just trust me when I say it is spectacular &ndash; you&rsquo;ll have to come see it for yourself and, of course, it&rsquo;s even more brilliant at night. We thank the Allentown Federal Credit Union for its generous contribution which made this purchase possible.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> In addition to this new section of Lights, visitors will also recognize their familiar favorites like the popular Cinderella and Wizard of Oz collections as well as holiday scenes like Toyland and the North Pole.<br /> <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1705/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1705/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1705/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:22:50 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is hosting three Open Houses as part of its ongoing efforts to provide information on the progress of the Allentown hockey arena project.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The Open Houses will make available information and displays on a variety of aspects of the arena project, including why it makes sense for Downtown Allentown, how the city plans to foster job and training opportunities, and what can be expected over the coming year as construction gets underway. Representatives from the city, as well as the engineers, geologists, experts and others who performed the planning, design and feasibility studies &ndash; will be on-hand to address questions one-on-one.<br /> <br /> There will be no formal presentation at these events. Instead, it&rsquo;s an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project at their own pace, by going to stations that address the topics that most interest attendees, and asking questions directly of the experts. <br /> <br /> Open House Schedule<br /> Tuesday, November 29 Allentown Central Catholic High School Auditorium <br /> 6-8 pm 301 N. 4th Street <br /> Free Parking at bottom of Chew Street<br /> <br /> <br /> Wednesday, November 30 Scottish Rite Cathedral<br /> 6-8 pm 1533 Hamilton Street &ndash; Moulson Room<br /> Parking available on premises <br /> <br /> Thursday, December 1 Dieruff High School &ndash; Cafeteria<br /> 6-8 pm 815 N. Irving Street<br /> Parki<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1704/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1704/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1704/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:02:08 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Brilliant autumn weather and fantastic performances marked the 2011 Allentown Halloween Parade which marched through the streets of Allentown on Sunday, November 6. The parade was originally scheduled for Sunday, October 30, but was postponed due to the snowy weather.<br /> <br /> Nine divisions of marchers and floats made their way down Hamilton Street as an appreciative audience estimated in the thousands, some decked out in Halloween costumes, lined the streets from the start of the parade at the Allentown Fairgrounds to the conclusion at Seventh &amp; Hamilton streets.<br /> <br /> High school marching bands and dance groups joined with other civic and professional organizations, auto clubs and floats to bring the streets of Allentown to life.<br /> <br /> The Greater Kensington String Band topped off the parade with an exciting performance straight from the streets of Philadelphia and the Mummer&rsquo;s Parade.<br /> <br /> Each of the performances was judged at the Parade Reviewing Stand at 12th &amp; Hamilton streets by a panel of experienced judges and civic leaders. The winners of the four categories of competition are as follows:<br /> <br /> Floats w/marchers: 1st place XCAPE Hip Hop Dancers<br /> 2nd place BIA (Born Into the Arts) Dance Studio<br /> 3rd place Sharon Plessl School of Dance<br /> <br /> Floats: 1st Daisy Girl Scouts 6495<br /> 2nd Friebolin Floats<br /> 3rd Lehigh County Agricultural<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1703/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1703/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1703/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:31:05 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Department of Parks &amp; Recreation is embarking on the next phase of the Keck Park improvement project. The construction portion of the estimated 18-month, $500,000 project began this fall. <br /> <br /> The project includes improving athletic field drainage by re-grading the turf fields, reconstructing the main parking lot and access drive off Carlisle Street and renovation of the trail system. In addition, the existing restrooms will be completely renovated to meet current code requirements.<br /> <br /> The project scope was created following public meetings held in July 2009 and February 2010. The improvements were designed by Herbert, Rowland &amp; Grubic, Inc. (HRG), Landscape Architects. <br /> <br /> In order to allow for the construction to progress, certain areas of the park will be off limits until spring 2013 or until the turf grass has established itself to allow use by residents, area athletic clubs and recreational programs. The City of Allentown appreciates the patience of residents due to inconveniences associated with ongoing construction.<br /> <br /> Funding for the project is being provided by grants awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh County Green Futures Fund, the Harry C. Trexler Trust and the City of Allentown Department of Parks &amp; Recreation budget. <br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1702/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1702/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1702/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:11:01 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors delegation visiting Washington, DC today to lobby for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Pawlowski serves as the U.S. Conference of Mayors Community Development and Housing Committee Vice Chair. The five person delegation also includes Piscataway, N.J. Mayor Brian Wahler and U.S. Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran. <br /> <br /> The delegation is scheduled to meet with U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and U.S Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Members will press the senators to oppose proposed cuts to the CDBG program, now in its 36th year.<br /> <br /> CDBG is used to create jobs, leverage private economic development, build infrastructure, promotes homeownership, support energy efficient improvements, and provide critical training and social services to communities large and small by providing funding with flexibility for cities to address unique local needs.<br /> <br /> The House of Representatives has approved CDBG funds in the amount of $3.5 billion.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1701/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1701/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1701/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:42:49 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">In response to the tree and shrub damage caused by the Saturday, October 29 snowstorm, the City of Allentown Bureau of Recycling &amp; Solid Waste will extend hours of operation at its Main Yard Waste Site at Fish Hatchery Road and Oxford Drive. Some 600 persons brought yard waste to the site this past Saturday. The site will be open on Wednesday, November 9 from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. The site will also be open for regular hours on Saturdays, November 12 and 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. November 19 is the last regularly scheduled day for the season. The site is open to City of Allentown residents only. <br /> <br /> Residents may also place yard waste at the curb for collection on their recycling night. Residents should cut and tie yard waste branches into 4 foot bundles. Smaller yard waste may be placed in containers or paper yard waste bags. Tree branches or trunks bigger than 5&rdquo; in diameter must be taken to the yard waste site. The week of Thanksgiving (Sunday, November 20 through Friday, November 25) is the last week of curbside yard waste collection for the year.<br /> <br /> For more information, please call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729 or visit <a href="http://www.allentownrecycles.org">www.allentownrecycles.org</a>. <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1700/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1700/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1700/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:34:02 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Six new firefighters are putting their skills to work in the Allentown Fire Department. They were among 11 graduates of the Allentown Fire Academy who were honored during a ceremony today at Mack South Fire Station. The class also included five firefighters who are joining the fire departments in the City of Bethlehem and the City of Easton. <br /> <br /> New Allentown firefighters James Alpha, Adam Banotai, Jonathan Flissar, Jason Janis, Nicholas Koedyker and Onix Reyes were presented with their badges by Mayor Ed Pawlowski. They each received graduation certificates from the mayor and Allentown Fire Chief Bob Scheirer. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;Public safety is our top priority,&rdquo; said the mayor. &ldquo;This is a dangerous profession. The people of this city are grateful that you are willing to put your lives on the line to protect them and preserve their property. We salute your courage and bravery.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;This is a very active department,&rdquo; said Chief Bob Scheirer. &ldquo;We annually respond to more than 12,000 service calls.&rdquo; Scheirer urged the graduates to remember team work as the most important thing they learned during their training. &ldquo;It is imperative that the fire service be able to function as a team both in the field during fire and other emergencies as well as during the hours spent in the station house.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The addition of the six new firefigh<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1697/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1697/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1697/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:50:49 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Seven Allentown high school and middle school bands are among the eleven bands that will march down Hamilton Street entertaining thousands of spectators at the annual Allentown Halloween Parade on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The parade steps-off from the Allentown Fairgrounds at 2pm. The parade covers a two-mile route from the fairgrounds to 7th &amp; Hamilton streets.<br /> <br /> The parade was originally scheduled for Sunday, October 30, but was postponed due to the previous day&rsquo;s snowstorm. <br /> <br /> The Allen, Dieruff and Central Catholic high school bands and the Harrison-Morton, Trexler, Raub and South Mountain middle school bands will be joined by the Hobo Band, the Allentown Union Band and the Parkland High School band. Also joining the parade this year is the Greater Kensington String Band, which is an annual participant in the famous Mummers Parade on New Year&rsquo;s Day in Philadelphia. <br /> <br /> This year&rsquo;s theme is &ldquo;A Witch&rsquo;s Brew: All the Ingredients for an Allentown Halloween Parade!&rdquo; All entries will reflect something that makes an Allentown Halloween Parade fun and exciting for everyone! <br /> <br /> For the third consecutive year, the Allentown Halloween Parade is paying tribute to members of our Armed Forces, past and present. Military organizations will be formed in the pre-division section of the parade. <br /> <br /> The 2011 parade will once again f<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1696/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1696/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1696/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:57:39 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">As we switch back to Standard Time beginning this weekend, the Allentown Fire Department and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourage you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.<br /> <br /> Every day in the United States, needless home fire deaths occur. Working smoke alarms significantly increase your chance of surviving a deadly home fire. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.<br /> <br /> In addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries this weekend, the AFD recommends following these simple steps to protect your life, loved ones, and your home:<br /> &bull; Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries. <br /> &bull; Test alarms once a month using the test button. <br /> &bull; Replace the entire alarm if it's more than 10 years old or doesn't work properly when tested. <br /> &bull; Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas. <br /> &bull; For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms. <br /> &bull; Interconnect all smoke alar<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1695/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1695/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1695/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:58:40 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today delivered his proposed 2012 budget to City Council. The budget calls for nearly $85 million in spending on revenues of just less than $85.5 million. This results in a positive budget variance of more than $537,000 and does not require the city to utilize the reserve fund balance.<br /> <br /> In a letter to members of City Council, Pawlowski called the budget &ldquo;austere.&rdquo; The mayor added that the budget &ldquo;maintains essential city services while reducing costs where appropriate.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> The 2012 budget holds the composite property tax rate at 17.53 mills for an eighth consecutive year. The Business Privilege Tax also remains stable, as does the $52 Local Services Tax. <br /> <br /> Due to increased costs of materials and supplies, it is necessary that the city slightly raise some of its user fees. The 2012 budget proposes a 5% increase in water and sewer service fees for our customers or $23 annually (.06 cents per day) for the average single family home. Even with the increase, the Allentown rate will remain below many of our neighboring municipalities.<br /> <br /> MUNICIPALITY WATER SEWER TOTAL<br /> Easton $318 $770 $1088<br /> Coopersburg $328 $614 $942<br /> Northampton $359 $287 $646<br /> Salisbury $336 $210 $546<br /> Whitehall Twp. $359 $179 $538<br /> Coplay $359 $179 $538<br /> South Whitehall $329 $200 $529<br /> Upper Macungie $184 $340<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1694/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1694/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1694/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:54:45 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">DRINKING WATER PROBLEM CORRECTED<br /> <br /> <br /> ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACI&Oacute;N IMPORTANTE ACERCA DE SU AGUA POTABLE. HAGA QUE ALGUIEN LO TRADUZCA PARA USTED, O HABLE CON ALGUIEN QUE LO ENTIENDA.<br /> <br /> For Drinking Water Customers On The 800 Block Of Margaret Street And The 2500 Block Of S. Carbon And S. Lumber Streets that Received a Boil Water Advisory on Saturday, October 29 2011<br /> <br /> <br /> As a water customer of the City of Allentown you were notified on Saturday, October 29 2011 of a problem with our drinking water and were advised to boil and conserve your water until further notice.<br /> <br /> We are pleased to report that the problem has been corrected and that it is no longer necessary to boil your drinking water before use. <br /> <br /> We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience<br /> <br /> For additional information regarding this &ldquo;Problem Corrected&rdquo; notice you may contact The City Of Allentown Water Resource Department at 610-437-7643. <br /> <br /> Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.<br /> <br /> This notice is being sent to you by the City of Allentown <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1692/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1692/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1692/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:02:43 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">In response to the tree and shrub damage caused by Saturday&rsquo;s snowstorm, the City of Allentown Bureau of Recycling &amp; Solid Waste will open the Main Yard Waste Site at Fish Hatchery Road and Oxford Drive on Monday, October 31, Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The site will also be open for regular hours on Saturdays, November 5, 12, and 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. November 19 is the last regular scheduled day for the season. The site is open to City of Allentown residents only. <br /> <br /> Residents may also place yard waste at the curb for collection on their recycling night. Residents should cut and tie yard waste branches into 4 foot bundles. Smaller yard waste may be placed in containers or paper yard waste bags. Tree branches or trunks bigger than 5&rdquo; in diameter must be taken to the yard waste site.<br /> <br /> For more information, please call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729 or visit <a href="http://www.allentownrecycles.org">www.allentownrecycles.org</a>. <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1681/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1681/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1681/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:17:44 GMT With the widespread extended power outages that exist due to Saturday&rsquo;s snow storm the Allentown Health Bureau wants to remind consumers and food service facilities of how food should be handled when refrigerators and freezers are without power.<br /> <br /> <strong>General Food Safety of Refrigerated Foods<br /> </strong><br /> Refrigerated foods that can be held at temperatures above 40&ordm;F until power returns include: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, fresh fruits, fruit juice, fresh unpeeled vegetables, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter. For all other products, most refrigerated foods are safe if the power outage was only 2-3 hours and if foods were held above 40&ordm;F for 2 hours or less; however, for those who are without power for several days, most refrigerated foods should be discarded. If you are unsure how long products have been held above 40&ordm;F, DISCARD the products. Foodborne pathogens can grow very quickly in some foods held above refrigeration temperatures; visual appearance and odor cannot be used to assess the safety of food products.<br /> <br /> <strong>General Food Safety of Frozen Foods<br /> </strong><br /> If foods still contain ice crystals, they can be re-frozen safely. Thawed fruits, fruit juices and fruit pies will be safe to eat; however, discard these products if they have come in contact with thawed meat drippings or if they have signs of spoilage, such as off-odors due to fermentatio<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1680/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1680/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1680/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:15:18 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">DRINKING WATER WARNING<br /> BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING<br /> HIERVAN EL AGUA ANTES DE USARLA.<br /> ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACI&Oacute;N IMPORTANTE ACERCA DE SU AGUA POTABLE. HAGA QUE ALGUIEN LO TRADUZCA PARA USTED, O HABLE CON ALGUIEN QUE LO ENTIENDA.<br /> <br /> Drinking Water Customers On The 800 Block Of Margaret Street And The 2500 Block Of S.Carbon And S.Lumber Streets May Be At Increased Risk From Microbial Contamination.<br /> <br /> We routinely monitor the conditions in the distribution system. On Saturday, October 29, 2011 the City Of Allentown experienced a loss of positive water pressure due to City wide power outages . A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through back-flow by back pressure or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.<br /> What should I do?<br /> DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using; or use bottled water. You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.<br /> Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1679/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1679/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1679/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:31:34 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The annual City of Allentown Halloween Parade scheduled for Sunday, October 30 has been postponed due to inclement weather.&nbsp; The parade has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 6 at 2pm.</span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1678/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1678/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1678/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:26:11 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Seven Allentown high school and middle school bands are among the eleven bands that will march down Hamilton Street entertaining thousands of spectators at the annual Allentown Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30, 2011. The parade steps-off from the Allentown Fairgrounds at 2pm. The parade covers a two-mile route from the fairgrounds to 7th &amp; Hamilton streets. <br /> <br /> The Allen, Dieruff and Central Catholic high school bands and the Harrison-Morton, Trexler, Raub and South Mountain middle school bands will be joined by the Hobo Band, the Allentown Union Band and the Parkland High School band. Also joining the parade this year is the Greater Kensington String Band, which is an annual participant in the famous Mummers Parade on New Year&rsquo;s Day in Philadelphia. <br /> <br /> This year&rsquo;s theme is &ldquo;A Witch&rsquo;s Brew: All the Ingredients for an Allentown Halloween Parade!&rdquo; All entries will reflect something that makes an Allentown Halloween Parade fun and exciting for everyone! <br /> <br /> For the third consecutive year, the Allentown Halloween Parade is paying tribute to members of our Armed Forces, past and present. Military organizations will be formed in the pre-division section of the parade. <br /> <br /> The 2011 parade will once again feature antique and classic cars.<br /> <br /> School marching bands, non-profit floats and marchers are competing for a top prize of $<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1676/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1676/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1676/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:03:21 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Students at Allen High School are being reminded about the dangers of texting and driving. One-thousand wristbands, with the message &ldquo;TXTING &amp; DRIVING KILLS,&rdquo; are being distributed to students. They were displayed today at a news conference at the high school attended by Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allen Principal Michael Rodriguez; Mr. Nicos Elias, Supervisor of Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Inc. of Allentown; Allen Students Against Destructive Decisions Advisors Lane McNeish and Melissa Roehrich, Allen SADD officers Tori Danner and Giovanni Dutan and the Allen Canary.<br /> <br /> National safety research reveals that the under-20 age group has the greatest proportion of distracted drivers in the United States. Of all drivers younger than age 20 involved in fatal crashes, 16 percent were reported to have been distracted while driving. Eighteen percent of the 5,474 Americans who died in 2009 due to distracted driving were using cell phones (Source: <a href="http://www.sadd.org/stats/htm">www.sadd.org/stats/htm</a>).<br /> <br /> The 30 students from Allen High School who form the Allentown chapter of SADD are distributing the wristbands to senior classes, with a short presentation to the students. The wristbands are a gift from Mr. Elias.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I decided to get involved with a project like this after hearing about a similar campaign in another city,&rdquo; said Mr. Elias. &ldquo<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1675/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1675/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1675/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:21:19 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Health Bureau and the Allentown Police Department will partner in the third National Take-Back Day initiative designed to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation&rsquo;s medicine cabinets. City representatives will accept expired and unused prescriptions or over-the-counter medications on Saturday, October 29 from 10am-2pm at Wegmans at 3900 Tilghman Street. <br /> <br /> Across the region the initiative is being coordinated by the U.S Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Lehigh County District Attorney&rsquo;s Office, the Allentown Health Bureau and local police agencies, including the Allentown Police Department.<br /> <br /> The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and non-controlled and over-the-counter medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away &ndash; both potential safety and health hazards.<br /> <br /> According to Allentown Health Bureau Director Vicky Kistler, the presence of expired and unused medications in a home poses unforeseen dangers. &ldquo;Those of us in public health consider m<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1674/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1674/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1674/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:06:43 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 at 7pm at the Allentown Public Library on the presentation of the bicycle and pedestrian facility Connecting Our Community design for the Linden and Turner streets corridor has been postponed. No new date has been set. The meeting was advertised on page 22 in the Fall &amp; Winter 2011-12 edition of Adventure Allentown.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">&nbsp;--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1673/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1673/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1673/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:16:28 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">New information is available on the City of Allentown&rsquo;s 250th Anniversary celebration in 2012. Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Semiquincentennial Cabinet Co-Chairmen Tony Iannelli and Malcolm Gross shared information on the plans and milestones at a news conference this morning in City Hall.<br /> <br /> According to Iannelli, &ldquo;Since the official kick-off in May, countless individuals have been donating time, talents and energy for the success of this important project It is so encouraging to see so many community members come together to plan such a monumental milestone.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Nearly 100 community and business partners have been meeting on a monthly basis on seven different committees developing the plans and supplying the administrative needs to formulate the 2012 celebration.<br /> <br /> Recently the Volunteer Committee held four meetings across the city to inform the public about how they can be involved in the celebration. Pawlowski noted, &ldquo;It remains important that this effort continues to be one that is community-driven and those presentations were a great way to engage the public.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The Volunteer Committee has also received requests to make presentations at meetings of local groups to share information about the planning and how they can be involved. The committee is encouraged by the bridges that are being built and the enthusiasm throughout the City of Alle<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1672/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1672/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1672/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:40:40 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The one-lane South Second Street Bridge located between West Brookdale Street and West Wabash Street in the City of Allentown sustained damage yesterday as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The bridge will be closed until damaged metal hand railings can be replaced. <div style="text-align: center">&nbsp;--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1671/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1671/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1671/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:30:44 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown wants to know how residents feel about its municipal pools and spray parks. <br /> <br /> Next week, the city will continue taking steps towards completing a comprehensive city-wide aquatic feasibility study entitled, <em>&lsquo;Swimming Towards the Future&rsquo;: A Plan for Allentown&rsquo;s Pools &amp; Spray Parks.</em> The city invites residents to attend an Open House meeting at the Allentown Public Library at 12th and Hamilton streets on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 5:00 PM &ndash; 7:00 PM.<br /> <br /> Thanks to funding provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources and the Trexler Trust, the city&rsquo;s Department of Parks &amp; Recreation has been working to complete a full study of its aquatic facilities and spray parks. <br /> <br /> Currently, the city owns and operates five swimming pools and two spray parks. The city&rsquo;s 2006 Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommended evaluation of the existing aquatic facilities and programs planned to meet the changing needs of the community. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;The goal of the plan is to evaluate trends and market conditions and create a financially sustainable approach that meets the community&rsquo;s long term needs,&rdquo; says Neelay K. Bhatt, a Senior Manager with PROS Consulting, who is working closely with a team from Williams Aquatics on the project. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;One of o<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1669/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1669/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1669/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:36:20 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Replacement of the new wearing course on Hanover Avenue will not be necessary. According to PennDOT, follow-up testing of the road surface shows that it meets all specifications. <br /> <br /> On October 7, PennDOT had said the surface failed to meet state standards in two separate tests and needed to be replaced. Follow-up testing was done last week at the request of the contractor, which determined that the work met specifications for stone size, compaction and materials.<br /> <br /> Hanover Avenue was improved from the Hamilton Street Bridge east to Irving Street for a distance of approximately one mile as part of a $2.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Project. The project was completed in August.<br /> <br /> The project included the replacement of a 100 year old water main, the installation of ADA handicap ramps, a new pavement overlay, and new pavement markings.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--<br /> </span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1666/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1666/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1666/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:57:25 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, the Allentown YMCA &amp; YWCA and the Week Without Violence Committee announce this year&rsquo;s Week Without Violence will be observed from October 16 -22.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The Week Without Violence is an international effort to raise public awareness about the problem of violence in our communities,&rdquo; said Jim Carlisle, Committee chairperson and Injury Prevention Manager, City of Allentown Health Bureau. &ldquo;Many Lehigh Valley agencies are coming together to deliver a call to action for a collaborative effort in the area to have a week of peace ----with the dream of ultimately eliminating violence from our homes, our streets and our lives,&rdquo; Carlisle added.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Now in its 9th year, the Week Without Violence has been making a positive impact on the community,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;Participants in the various programs have told me that they have changed their lives for the better. I encourage everyone to try to make the time to attend one of the many events.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> The Schedule of Events is as follows:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Saturday, October 15 - 10:00 a.m. Fall Foliage Paddle on the Lehigh River<br /> <br /> Launch from Canal Park, Allentown with a destination of Freemansburg Borough<br /> <br /> Ages 10 &amp; up. Reservations contact Wildlands Conservancy 610-965-4397 www.wildlandspa.org<br /> <br /> <br /> Tuesday, Octo<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1665/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1665/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1665/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:39:46 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">This afternoon&rsquo;s scheduled conversion of one half block of 10th Street between Hamilton and Court streets from a one way to a two way street has been postponed due to inclement weather. The job involves line eradication and repainting which cannot be done in the rain. The conversion has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00pm. <br /> <br /> The change to two way traffic is the result of the opening of the Allentown Police Patrol Station at 10th and Hamilton streets. The change allows police vehicles leaving the police station to travel in either direction on 10th Street. <br /> <br /> All vehicles in the left lane of traffic heading northbound on 10th Street will be required to turn left onto Hamilton Street. Vehicles that want to continue heading north must be in the right lane.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1664/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1664/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1664/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:12:06 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Health Bureau at 245 N. Sixth Street will be offering Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin for three more days for patrons who ate at Pasta Alla Rosa Restaurant at 602 Hamilton Street during an employee&rsquo;s infectious period and can still benefit from the injection.<br /> <br /> On Wednesday, October 12 from 9am-11am the city will vaccinate persons who ate at the restaurant between 9/28-10/7.<br /> <br /> On Thursday, October 13 from 9am-11am the city will vaccinate persons who ate at the restaurant between 9/29 &ndash; 10/7.<br /> <br /> On Friday, October 14 from 9am-11am the city will vaccinate persons who ate at the restaurant between 9/30-10/7.<br /> <br /> PREVIOUSLY vaccinated persons do not need to come in.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1658/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1658/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1658/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:44:16 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Fire Fighter Eugene Behler is being honored as the 2011 City of Allentown Fire Fighter of the Year. Behler was recognized at the Allentown Fire Department&rsquo;s annual memorial and awards service held today at Scottish Rite Cathedral as part of Fire Prevention Month. <br /> <br /> The department recognizes firefighters and the public at-large for their actions over the past 12 months. In addition to Firefighter of the Year, the department presents the Alfred W. Fischl Award, a Fire Prevention Award, Bravery, Heroism and Years of Service awards, Unit Citations and firefighter and civilian Certificates of Merit, Appreciation and Commendation.<br /> <br /> Firefighter Behler is in his 21st year with the department. He has been a member of the department&rsquo;s Bomb Squad for the past 15 years. Nominations of Behler cited his work ethic, his value when it counted most on fire calls and his exceptional versatility as a firefighter. Firefighter Behler is well respected by those who have had the privilege of working with him. <br /> <br /> The Alfred W. Fischl Fire Service Award was bestowed upon Captain Thomas Carl. This award is presented to a fire department individual who has served at least 20 years and has exemplified himself with consistent and dedicated work habits. Captain Carl was honored for showing the highest level of loyalty, dedication and leadership during his 23 years with the department<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1657/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1657/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1657/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:59:14 GMT <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Allentown Health Bureau is investigating a laboratory confirmed case of infectious Hepatitis A in an employee of the Pasta Alla Rosa Restaurant at 602 Hamilton Street. Although the employee had limited food handling duties,&nbsp;the Allentown Health Bureau encourages all unvaccinated persons who ate at Pasta Alla Rosa restaurant&nbsp;between September 23, 2011 and October 7,2011 to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A regardless of age. Hepatitis A immune globulin is in short supply nation-wide and after consulting with disease control experts, Hepatitis A vaccine can effectively be substituted for immune globulin.&nbsp;Patrons who have previously been vaccinated against Hepatitis A are protected and need not take action.<br /> <br /> The owners of the restaurant have been very cooperative with the investigation. ONLY those unvaccinated patrons who ate at Pasta Alla Rosa during the September 23, 2011 to October 7, 2011 time frame need to contact their health care provider to discuss post-exposure prophylaxis.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Patrons who do not receive prophylaxis are advised to seek medical treatment if they begin to experience signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A which include any of the following: jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), white stool, dark urine, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.<br /> <br /> The Allentown Health Bureau will make free Hepatitis A vaccine available on Monday, October 10, 2011 f<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1656/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1656/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1656/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:43:01 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">A contractor will be back on the scene of the Hanover Avenue reconstruction project to mill the new wearing course and replace it. <br /> <br /> According to City of Allentown Public Works Director Rich Young, the new wearing course materials that were applied in August did not meet the specifications from PennDOT. &ldquo;When the project is complete several samples are taken to a lab and tested. The most recent test was conducted on October 5. The pavement material failed compaction and material tests and therefore needs to be replaced. The contractor and/or supplier will bear the cost of the replacement.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Schlouch, Inc. of Blandon, Pennsylvania was the general contractor for the project. The paving material came from Eastern Industries. <br /> <br /> Hanover Avenue has been improved from the Hamilton Street Bridge east to Irving Street for a distance of approximately one mile as part of a $2.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Project. The project was completed in August.<br /> <br /> The project included the replacement of a 100 year old water main, the installation of ADA handicap ramps, a new pavement overlay, and new pavement markings.<br /> <br /> Weather permitting, it will take approximately two weeks to complete the work. A construction meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11 to set the work schedule.<br /> <br /> When work resumes, traffic will be limited to one lane<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1655/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1655/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1655/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:42:09 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">North 4th Street between Chew and Gordon streets in the City of Allentown will be closed for repaving on Monday, October 10 from 8am to 6pm and on Saturday, October 15 from 7:30am to 8pm.<br /> <br /> The work necessitates the closing of both the Chew Street and Gordon Street intersections with N. 4th Street. While work is underway, access to Sacred Heart Hospital and the hospital parking deck will only be from Chew Street heading eastbound from North 5th Street.</span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1651/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1651/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1651/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:06:33 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">As a result of the opening of the Allentown Police Patrol Station at 10th and Hamilton streets, one half block of 10th Street between Hamilton and Court streets will be converted from a one way to a two way street. The change allows police vehicles leaving the police station to travel in either direction on 10th Street. <br /> <br /> All vehicles in the left lane of traffic heading northbound on 10th Street will be required to turn left onto Hamilton Street. Vehicles that want to continue heading north must be in the right lane.<br /> <br /> The conversion will take place on Thursday, October 13 at 1:00pm.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1650/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1650/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1650/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:21:19 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will receive nearly $500,000 in a Recycling Program Performance Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The grant reflects the more than 20,000 tons of residential and commercial materials recycled by city residents and businesses in 2009.<br /> <br /> Performance grants from the state are based on the type and weight of materials recycled from residential, commercial and drop-off recycling programs. The grant award letter from the state cites the city&rsquo;s &ldquo;exemplary efforts.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Our residents and businesses are firmly behind the idea of green living through waste reduction and recycling,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;The city has been a leader in recycling and was one of the first cities in the Lehigh Valley to recycle electronic components, to have curbside recycling of cardboard boxes, plastics 1 through 7 and major appliances.&ldquo; <br /> <br /> Pennsylvania Act 101 mandates curbside recycling in the state&rsquo;s larger municipalities (population over 10,000) and offers grants to be applied toward recycling program sustainability and enhancements.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The grants we receive from the state are very important to Allentown&rsquo;s recycling programs and allow us to provide quality services and programs to our residents and businesses,&rdquo; said Ann Saurman, Manager of the Bureau of Recycling and Sol<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1649/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1649/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1649/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:50:48 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown&rsquo;s East Side Fire Station at 718 North Irving Street has been closed due to health and safety concerns. City officials decided to close the fire station yesterday because of the presence of mold. Recent heavy rains exacerbated leaks in the building.<br /> <br /> The city has relocated the firefighters and equipment housed at the station to the Hibernia Station at Tilghman Street and Ridge Avenue. The fire department will stage manpower and equipment outside the East Side Fire Station during peak travel times.<br /> <br /> Response time to the East Side from the Hibernia Station will still fall within National Fire Protection Association standards.<br /> <br /> The city will be seeking a temporary facility on the East Side to house firefighters and equipment.<br /> <br /> City Council has been asked to approve a $4 million general obligation bond issue which includes $1,850,000 for a new East Side Fire Station at the existing location. Structural deficiencies at the fire station are beyond repair. The city will not be seeking to make expensive temporary repairs to the present building. The city&rsquo;s 2011 budget includes $150,000 for the design and a portion of the construction of the new fire station. <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div> </span></span><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1648/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1648/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1648/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:18:49 GMT <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Fall and winter recreation enthusiasts will learn about the multitude of leisure activities available throughout the City of Allentown in the soon to be released newest edition of Adventure Allentown.&nbsp; Mayor Ed Pawlowski announced today that the 2011-12 Fall/Winter edition of Adventure Allentown will be distributed city-wide over the next 30 days. <br /> <br /> The city&rsquo;s 36 page guide to fall and winter leisure activities will be inserted in The Morning Call newspaper on Friday, September 30, sent home with all elementary and middle school students, and will be available at more than 50 other locations in the city and placed in free outdoor publication racks throughout the park system. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;Adventure Allentown would not be possible without the support of more than 100 different agencies and leisure service providers throughout the city. This collaborative effort is a great testament to those individuals working every day to improve the quality of life in Allentown,&rdquo; said Allentown Director of Parks and Recreation Greg A. Weitzel.&nbsp; &ldquo;We look forward to providing this resource twice a year for residents and visitors to learn more about the myriad of activities, programs and facilities available in Allentown,&rdquo; Weitzel said. <br /> <br /> The Adventure Allentown guide contains information on special events, youth and adult programs; city parks and golf; music an<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1647/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1647/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1647/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:47:26 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">City of Allentown crews are on the scene of a water main break at the intersection of 10th and Wyoming streets. Service is interrupted to at least an estimated 40 customers in that area. The water main break has forced the closure of 10th &amp; Wyoming, along with parts of Lehigh, Howard and St. John streets in that general location.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1615/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1615/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1615/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:36:04 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Due to the popularity of the City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation&rsquo;s Lively Lunches in the Park, the program will be extended through mid-September. Local musicians will continue to perform live music from 12 &ndash; 1pm in the Arts Park every Tuesday through September 20, 2011.<br /> <br /> Lively Lunches began on Tuesday, June 7 and featured artists such as Tim Harakal, Billy Bauer, Jason Lapp, Sebastian Riviera and Topher Stevenson. The program was scheduled to end Tuesday, August 23; however, the department has decided to extend the program due to popularity and positive weather conditions. <br /> <br /> The schedule for the final three weeks of Lively Lunches in the Park is:<br /> <br /> Tuesday, September 6 &ndash; Billy Bauer<br /> Tuesday, September 13 &ndash; Tim Harakal<br /> Tuesday, September 20 &ndash; Jason Lapp<br /> <br /> Downtown workers are invited to join us on their lunch break for local music and fun in the relaxing, beautiful Arts Park, located between Hamilton and Linden streets at 5th Street next to the Baum School of Art.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1612/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1612/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1612/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:13:07 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will host an informational meeting on a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission proposed rule governing the placement of natural gas meters. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 6pm in City Council Chambers. Members of the PUC staff will attend. UGI Corporation representatives have also been invited. <br /> <br /> The Commission voted unanimously in late July to issue the proposed rulemaking for comment. It includes language that allows the natural gas utilities to have sole determination for meter set (meter and regulator) location, and that the determination should be based upon public safety. The proposed language also requires natural gas distribution companies (NGDCs) to relocate current inside regulators that are connected to steel service lines to the outside with the exception of historic districts and high risk vandalism districts within 10 years.<br /> <br /> Following an investigation, the PUC&rsquo;s Bureau of Transportation, Gas Safety Division concluded that the Commission&rsquo;s existing regulation is vague, inadequate and out-of-date with respect to the federal standards which the PUC has adopted. The proposed regulations are more consistent with the federal regulations.<br /> <br /> The meeting will allow for an informational discussion on the proposed rulemaking order and will give those in attendance a clear understanding of proposed rules and regulati<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1611/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1611/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1611/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:53:23 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown is calling on its water users to conserve water for the next 48 hours. This is as a result of two water main breaks, fire prevention, power outages, and the recent flooding resulting from Hurricane Irene. While the public drinking water remains safe to drink, water levels in the city reservoirs are reaching low levels.<br /> <br /> In order to assist the City of Allentown we would ask people to conserve water by taking the following measures: <br /> <br /> * Only use water when absolutely necessary<br /> * Do not leave taps running <br /> * Refrain from running laundry machines and dishwashers<br /> * Do not store water <br /> * Only flush the toilet when necessary<br /> * Refrain from taking long showers<br /> * Report location of water leaks or pipe bursts to the City&rsquo;s Communication Center at 610-437-7566<br /> <br /> A message asking customers to conserve water is also being sent directly to customers. Last year the city contracted with FirstCall Network Inc. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to implement a system to notify customers by voice, text or email messages in the event of a boil water advisory or similar emergency. <br /> <br /> The system has the capability to send 3500 voice messages, 6000 text messages and 20,000 emails per minute. The phone message is available in English and Spanish.<br /> <br /> FirstCall compiled a database of phone numbers across the city that initiall<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1601/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1601/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1601/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:23:46 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Department of Parks &amp; Recreation is announcing that the 6th Annual Doggie Dip Days will be held at Mack, Jordan and Cedar pools.<br /> <br /> Prior to the pools being drained for the season, dogs will be able to enjoy several hours of splashing and frolicking with their handler. Only one handler will be allowed into the pool with each dog. Each dog must have a valid 2011 license. In order to enter the pool, handlers must bring proof that their dog is up to date on all vaccinations. Dogs must be people friendly and non-aggressive toward other dogs. Any dog that becomes aggressive will be asked to leave.<br /> <br /> The registration fee is $4.00. A monetary donation or donation of a dry pet food item for the Lehigh County Humane Society is also requested to help those unfortunate dogs without a home. Donations can be taken to the office of the Department of Parks and Recreation or to the pool on the day of the event.<br /> <br /> Doggie Dips will be held at the following locations and times:<br /> <br /> 1. Mack Pool, Mack Blvd &amp; Dixon St. Saturday, August 20, 12pm-4pm<br /> 2. Jordan Pool, 1001 N 6th St., Saturday, August 27, 12pm-4pm<br /> 3. Cedar Pool, Ott &amp; Hamilton St., Tuesday, September 6, 3pm-7pm<br /> <br /> For more information, please contact the Department of Parks &amp; Recreation at 610-437-7750 Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm, or simply sign up the day of <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1581/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1581/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1581/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:06:45 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The Department of Parks and Recreation&rsquo;s &ldquo;Movies in the Parks&rdquo; series, seen on a giant inflatable outdoor screen, concludes its fourth season on Saturday, August 20 when &ldquo;Mamma Mia!&rdquo; takes to the screen at West Park on 17th and Linden streets in Allentown. The rain date for the dinner and a movie will be the following day, Sunday, August 21.<br /> <br /> In this big screen version of the stage musical featuring the songs of ABBA, Donna is the mother to Sophie, who's on a quest to discover the identity of her father on the eve of her wedding. Donna owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island and when three men from her past arrive unexpectedly, it is a trip down memory lane that no one will ever forget.<br /> <br /> Prior to the start of the movie, the Lehigh Valley Musicians Association will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary with performances from the Municipal Band of Allentown at 2:00pm, the Marine Band of Allentown at 4:00pm and the Pioneer Band of Allentown at 6:30pm. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts would be postponed until September 10. <br /> <br /> Allentown&rsquo;s Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to be in partnership with the West Park Civic Association to present the 4th annual Dinner and Movie at West Park. Dinner will begin at 6:30pm and will be catered by Gala Gourmet. To book your reservations please call Peggy Egolf at 610-434-0657.<b<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1580/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1580/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1580/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:25:52 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Thirty-three children ages 9-12 from the City of Allentown Weed &amp; Seed Program&rsquo;s target area will be participating in a five day Drug Education for Youth, or DEFY, program camp experience next week at Fort Indiantown Gap.<br /> <br /> The children, their parents and family members will be arriving early on Monday, August 1 for the camp departure. Youth will be boarding busses at Bucky Boyle Park at 7:00 a.m. to go to Fort Indiantown Gap. The children will be at Fort Indiantown Gap until Friday, August 5, returning tired, happy, and better equipped to resist drugs, gangs and other self-destructive behavior. <br /> <br /> DEFY camp is free for 9-12 year olds living within the Weed and Seed community. <br /> <br /> This year&rsquo;s camp will emphasize Physical Fitness, Team Building and Sports Training. The facilitators for this year&rsquo;s camp will include trainers from Framing Young Individuals (FYI), and Pennsylvania National Guard personnel.<br /> <br /> DEFY is a self-esteem building program that provides middle school aged youth with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs and alcohol. Initially developed by the Drug Demand Reduction Task Force (DDRTF), DEFY is supported by the local Pennsylvania National Guard in collaboration with Weed and Seed and the Hispanic Center. DEFY is a two-phase program that begins in the summer months with a five-day residential component. The challenging fun-fi<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1573/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1573/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1573/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:21:59 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The NFL Punt Pass and Kick competition comes to the City of Allentown this Wednesday, August 3. <br /> <br /> The city&rsquo;s Department of Parks and Recreation is holding the competition at Jordan Park. This event is free and open to the general public ages 6 &ndash; 15. Registration begins at 10am.<br /> <br /> With more than 4 million boys and girls taking part annually, PPK is one of the world&rsquo;s largest youth participation programs. Girls and boys in five (5) separate age divisions (6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15) compete against each other in punting, passing and place kicking. All participants are required to bring their birth certificate or proof of age in order to be eligible for the event. Participants are not permitted to wear cleats.<br /> <br /> To increase attendance at this year&rsquo;s competition, children from the surrounding Summer Playground Program sites will be incorporated into the competition.<br /> <br /> For more information, contact Recreation Program Manager Randy Cope at 610-437-7750.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1572/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1572/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1572/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:32:23 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The contractor on the Hanover Avenue reconstruction project in the City of Allentown will be performing milling and paving operations beginning Monday, August 1, 2011. To facilitate a quicker completion of the paving work these operations will extend from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. <br /> <br /> On Monday, weather permitting, the contractor, Schlouch, Inc., is expected to mill a portion of the side streets where they tie into Hanover Avenue. On Tuesday, the contractor is expected to begin milling operations starting at the Hamilton Street Bridge and proceeding eastward to Graham Street by the end of the week. Paving operations will follow concurrently behind the milling operations. It is anticipated the milling and paving operations will take approximately two weeks. &ldquo;No Parking&rdquo; signs will be posted in the work area to clear the parking lanes to allow the milling and paving operations to be completed.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--<br /> </span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1571/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1571/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1571/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:41:25 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown&rsquo;s Water Filtration Plant is being recognized by a national organization for consistently high drinking water quality for the fourth consecutive year.<br /> <br /> The plant has been selected to receive a prestigious Area-wide Optimization Program Award on August 1 at the Water Works Operators Association of Pennsylvania (WWOAP) Annual Conference in State College, Pennsylvania. AWOP is a national filter plant optimization effort among 22 states, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and other organizations. The plant received similar honors in 2008, 2009 and 2010.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;The employees of the water plant do a fantastic job,&rdquo; said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. &ldquo;They should be very proud that their work is being noticed for the fourth consecutive year. Our customers are assured that we are continuing to meet high standards.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Only facilities that have their water treatment plant processes 100% optimized on a 24/7 basis are chosen for this award,&rdquo; said City of Allentown Water Resources Manager of Operations Bob Kerchusky. &ldquo;That can only be reached through the hard work and dedication of everybody across the board. Our water customers receive a very high quality product at an economical cost.&rdquo; Only 25 plants out of 170 in Pennsylvania that submitted their 2010 OAS turbidity <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1570/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1570/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1570/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:20:40 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today announced that the city&rsquo;s SERV Allentown program, as its first project, will partner with the Allentown School District and its &ldquo;Start Your Day Right&rdquo; program.<br /> <br /> SERV Allentown is part of AARP Pennsylvania&rsquo;s &ldquo;Create The Good&rdquo; program. It encompasses support of Cities of Service, a national bi-partisan coalition of mayors of cities of all sizes working together to engage citizens in helping to solve pressing local challenges.<br /> <br /> The &ldquo;Start Your Day Right&rdquo; before-school program, in all 15 district elementary schools, will have students participating in three rotations of breakfast, academic support and enrichment and fitness activities. Beginning at 7:30am, the rotations benefit students by providing nutritious foods for the energy they need to perform throughout the morning and physical exercise to get the mind and body moving. The three rotations are broken down into three twenty-minute intervals with a time allowance of five minutes for students to transition between rotations and to their classroom. <br /> <br /> &ldquo;Start Your Day Right&rdquo; is set to commence September 6, 2011 with the start of the school year.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We think it is a great place to start,&rdquo; said Pawlowski. &ldquo;We are pleased and proud to be part of a program to improve student academic achievement, improve stud<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1569/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1569/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1569/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:07:28 GMT Due to the Excessive Heat Warning Friday and the anticipated excessive heat on Saturday two City of Allentown Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Summer Series band concerts are being postponed.&nbsp; Tonight&rsquo;s 7:30 scheduled performance by The Pioneer Band at West Park&nbsp;and&nbsp;the 7pm, Saturday, July 23 performance by the Municipal Band of Allentown at&nbsp;Daddona Terrace are being postponed.&nbsp; Both performances will be rescheduled at a later date.<br /> <br /> Tonight&rsquo;s showing of &ldquo;Legend of the Guardians&rdquo; as part of the Movie in the Park series will go on as scheduled at 9 o&rsquo;clock at the Arts Park at 5th &amp; Linden streets.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center">--30--</div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1568/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1568/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1568/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:06:26 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown Fire Department is pitching-in to help city residents cope with the intense summer heat. The department will have fire engines spraying water at two locations in the city.<br /> <br /> Fire engines will be stationed at the Franklin Playground on Franklin Street between Chew and Turner streets and at Valania Park located on Union Street between 5th &amp; 6th streets. The engines will be on location from 6pm to 7:30pm tonight and each evening during the duration of the current Excessive Heat Warning. They will also be at the same locations from 1:30pm to 3pm tomorrow Friday, July 22 and each following afternoon for the duration of this Excessive Heat Warning. <br /> <br /> Earlier today, Mayor Ed Pawlowski announced that entrance fees would be waived at the city&rsquo;s Cedar, Jordan, Mack and Irving pools for the duration of the Excessive Heat Warning that was issued by the National Weather Service. The pools are open from 12pm until 6:45pm.<br /> </span></span> <div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></div><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1565/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1565/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1565/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:56:13 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown will waive fees at all city pools during the current heat wave to give residents the chance to cool off and escape the dangerous heat and humidity, Mayor Ed Pawlowski announced today.<br /> <br /> The waiver will be in effect for the remainder of the pool season during the days and times identified by the National Weather Service (NWS) for &ldquo;Excessive Heat Warnings&rdquo; covering the City of Allentown. The mayor issued a similar directive during the last Excessive Heat Warning in the city in 2006. The city&rsquo;s Cedar, Jordan, Mack and Irving pools are open from 12pm until 6:45pm. Further information on the pools is available in the city&rsquo;s Adventure Allentown guide.<br /> <br /> Pawlowski also called on city residents to abide by pool regulations and cautioned that attendance will be restricted by mandatory occupancy limits.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We are happy to provide this relief for all city residents to ensure their safety and give everyone a chance to escape from the heat,&rdquo; Pawlowski said. &ldquo;However, ensuring safety also means following the regulations. Unruly or abusive behavior and overcrowding at our public pools will not be tolerated.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Some residents may be directed to use other city pools if their first choice is overcrowded, the mayor said.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;We have four great public pools, and all will be available to our residents. <a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1564/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1564/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1564/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:27:56 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Parents can reduce the risk of their child drowning and increase their children&rsquo;s knowledge of water safety by attending Family Water Safety Day on Friday, July 22 at Cedar Beach Pool in Allentown. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children under 4 and the second leading cause for all children ages 14 and under. Family Water Safety Day is a FREE event for children and adults to learn how to practice water safety.<br /> <br /> Family Water Safety Day is sponsored by Safe Kids Allentown-Bethlehem / Allentown Health Bureau, Allentown Recreation Bureau, Swim-in-Zone, American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and the Allentown Communications Center. <br /> <br /> This year Swim &ndash; in &ndash; Zone will be promoting free safety inspections for pool owners in the Lehigh Valley and will provide a free information table with information on how to obtain this important service.<br /> <br /> Event will be held:<br /> DATE: Friday, July 22, 2011<br /> TIME: 12:00 noon &ndash; 1:30 pm (Please arrive by 11:45 a.m.)<br /> PLACE: Cedar Beach Pool<br /> Hamilton Street<br /> Allentown, PA<br /> <br /> Event activities: Participants will rotate through the following stations at 15-minute intervals:<br /> Improvised Rescue Equipment Boating &amp; River Safety<br /> Life Jackets Spinal Injuries<br /> Compression Only CPR Water Safety Video<br /> Red E Fox-911 Pool Inspecti<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1563/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1563/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1563/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:14:42 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">To support the growth of the local restaurant scene in downtown Allentown, the second downtown Restaurant Week returns from July 25 to July 31. Participating restaurants include the Allentown Brew Works, Bada Bingg, Bayleaf, Cosmopolitan, House of Chen, Island in the Sun, Made in Brazil and Sangria.<br /> <br /> Each restaurant will offer specials for breakfast, lunch or dinner ranging in price from $5 to $30.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;With the success of the first restaurant week, there is even more to offer restaurant-goers this time,&rdquo; said Leslie Suhr, Hamilton District Main Street Manager. &ldquo;The goal of Restaurant Week is to spur city residents and out of town diners to experience what downtown Allentown has to offer. It&rsquo;s a chance to revisit old favorites and enjoy new restaurants.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Each time a person dines at a participating restaurant he or she will receive an entry for a chance to win great prizes including tickets to downtown restaurants, tickets to Allentown Symphony Hall, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn, a personal tour for 15 people at America on Wheels and more. Drawings will take place at the end of Restaurant Week.<br /> <br /> One of the best features about Downtown Allentown Summer Restaurant Week is that not only do the restaurants offer an array of ethnic foods like Brazilian, Mediterranean, Jamaican -- many also provide outdoor seating. It&rsquo;s a chance<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1562/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1562/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1562/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:55:24 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is attending today&rsquo;s Building One America event at the White House. More than 100 elected and municipal leaders from 22 metro reasons across the country have been invited to the forum focusing on sustainability, inclusion and economic growth. The list of participants includes Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;This meeting provides a chance to join with other municipal, business and community leaders to muster support for an agenda to address the unique challenges we are facing in cities and towns across America,&rdquo; said Pawlowski.<br /> <br /> Leading national experts and local officials will detail the significant social and fiscal pressures facing communities across the country. Attendees will hear about what is working and what is being proposed to promote more stability and greater economic growth. <br /> <br /> Building One America began in September 2009 at a national gathering in Washington, DC of 700 local leaders from several Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West states who came together to discuss the common challenges confronting older, developed towns in their regions and states as well as to create a national network for shared organizing, training and leadership development.<br /> <br /> According to its website, Building One America advances its agenda through education, organizing and mobilizatio<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1560/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1560/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1560/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:16:42 GMT <span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown and the Department of Parks &amp; Recreation in partnership with Embrace Your Dreams/The First Serve will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-opening of the renovated Jordan Park tennis courts on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 10:00am at 6th and Sumner Avenue in Allentown. <br /> <br /> The new and improved Jordan Park tennis courts, the only public clay courts in the area, now feature three sizes of tennis courts: including four regulation size 78&rsquo; foot courts, two 36&rsquo; foot QuickStart courts and one 60&rsquo; QuickStart court.<br /> <br /> Jordan Park becomes the first area tennis facility to house permanent tennis courts of all three sizes and the first public park in the Lehigh Valley to have permanent QuickStart clay courts to implement 10 and Under Tennis. 10 and Under Tennis using the QuickStart Tennis play format caters to a child's age and size by tailoring the equipment, court dimensions, and scoring system. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) expects that the 10 and Under Tennis initiative will positively shape the landscape of tennis in the U.S. as it follows the same formula that other youth sports have been using for decades. Equipment, courts and fields sized for kids have been an integral part of the development of young baseball, soccer and basketball athletes. For tennis, gear tailored for a child&rsquo;s size and age and a smaller court will allow par<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1529/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1529/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1529/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:34:44 GMT <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Weather permitting; Sumner Avenue between 12th Street &amp; 15th Street in the City of Allentown and Roth Avenue between Green Street and 15th Street will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, May 4 from approximately 8:15am to 2:30pm.&#160; The closure will allow the city’s Streets Department to prepare the road surface for a maintenance treatment that will be scheduled later this summer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The work was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, but was postponed due to inclement weather.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Questions may be addressed to the Streets Bureau at 610-437-7638. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">--30--</span></span></p><a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1473/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1473/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1473/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Tue, 03 May 2011 12:10:17 GMT <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">The City of Allentown along with the Allentown Fire Department in partnership with the Allentown School District is rewarding the hard work of some elementary school students this month with a ride to school in a fire engine. The program begins Wednesday, May 4 at Luis Ramos Elementary School and will conclude Thursday, May 19 at Sheridan School. Mayor Ed Pawlowski is scheduled to join the celebration this Friday, May 6 when students Taja Hess and Zuriel Cornwall are honored at Lehigh Parkway School.<br /> . <br /> Two students from each of the participating elementary schools have been selected by their principal to be rewarded with the ride. Students were selected for excellence in academics, most improved academics, safety patrol, attendance and/or citizenship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Schedule and Student Winners:</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">May 4, 2011 Luis Ramos School<br /> 1430 West Allen St.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">Shalimar Rivera &amp; <br /> Kali Martin</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-family: Tahoma">May 6, 2011 Lehigh Parkway School<br /> 1708 Cornado St.<br /> Taja Hess &amp; <br /> Zuriel Cornwall</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-fa<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1470/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1470/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1470/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Mon, 02 May 2011 13:29:39 GMT <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will be attending the White House Connecting Communities for the Common Good Conference in Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 27. The event is co-sponsored by the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the Office of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">The conference includes a series of innovative workshops and conversations with President Obama’s Faith-based Offices from across the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">The invitation to the conference was extended by the White House Office for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships headed by Executive Director Joshua DuBois.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Government officials, diverse nonprofit peers and faith and community leaders are among those invited to the one day conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">“The conference is an opportunity to explore partnership opportunities across the federal government,” said Pawlowski. “Discussion topics include job creation and economic recovery, access to health care and preventing youth violence. I look forward to listening to the perspect<a href='http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1451/xmfid/8/Default.aspx'>...more</a> http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1451/xmfid/8/Default.aspx http://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/1165/xmid/1451/xmfid/8/Default.aspx Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:15:59 GMT