tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78469124947107053952012-01-12T17:35:21.735-05:00Neighbors of EastonYOU HAVE REACHED THE ORIGINAL NEIGHBORS OF EASTON SITE. PLEASE CLICK THE WOODEN DOOR ON THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE NEW SITE, AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE RSS FEED WHEN YOU GET THERE...WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS!noel jonesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-78463794723570160452011-09-10T01:30:00.000-04:002011-09-10T01:30:28.533-04:00Neighbors of Easton Has Moved to a New and Expanded Site!Posted by: Noël Jones
Special thanks to all who have read and supported Neighbors of Easton over the last three years. The blog has moved to a brand new location and will continue to provide the local and national news--and discussions around that news--that you have come to expect!
Please check out the new blog at: www.neighborsofeaston.com and drop a comment--as always, it's our community andnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-51292669885911571272011-09-08T10:40:00.000-04:002011-09-08T10:40:58.592-04:00Come to the Launch Party! The All New and Expanded Neighbors of Easton Launches Friday, September 9thIt's almost here...Posted by: Noël Jones
After almost a year in the works, the new and expanded Neighbors of Easton will finally be launched, featuring 12 pages of news, information and forums for public discussion both for
neighbors already living in our area, or people new to Easton who are considering moving here. Special thanks to the Apple store trainers, as I practically lived at the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-30658814486133494122011-09-08T09:59:00.000-04:002011-09-08T09:59:55.541-04:00Easton's Redevelopment Authority and Merchants Bank Team Up to Accelerate Green Rehabs672 Pine Street is one of the homes currently being rehabbed in Easton's West Ward
Posted by: Noël Jones
Phenomenal news: Ed Sieger reports for the Express-Times that Easton's Redevelopment Authority has just been granted a $500,000 line of credit from Merchants Bank in Bangor to help continue and accelerate the rate the of green rehab de-conversion projects in the West Ward and
on South Side.
noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-46523515612427124452011-09-07T13:05:00.002-04:002011-09-07T13:07:39.322-04:00SEC and NY Attorney General Subpoena Marcellus Shale Gas DrillersPosted by: Noël Jones
There is this intrepid mystery man, Brendan O'Conner, who has tirelessly been (ok, he gets tired sometimes, says he's has to take a break to focus on his job and family, and then comes back again with a vengeance) aggregating articles that have to do with fracking for natural gas, and sending links out to anti-fracking activists. This gem that he sent out recently, is noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-88998943726201298192011-09-07T10:02:00.000-04:002011-09-07T10:02:32.008-04:00New Flood Watch/Warning for Our AreaScott Park after Hurricane Irene passed--note what is in this picture that we do not have right now: sunshine to dry it up
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to this Express-Times article, there is a new flood watch and warning out for Northampton and Lehigh counties due to all this rain and Hurricane Katia brewing south of us. Keep in mind that the
threat, like with Irene, is not so much that we noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-59058335993422270652011-09-06T11:31:00.000-04:002011-09-06T11:31:46.686-04:00Merchants Bank Joins Easton's Movies at the Mill Film FestivalGershon Hinkson, the man behind the magic, speaking at a recent press conference at the Old Simon Silk Mill, with the mayor, and a representative from the festival's newest sponsor, Merchants Bank, in the background, in front of the building that has now been approved for demolition to provide vehicle access to the site from 13th Street.
Posted by: Noël Jones
"The sponsorship of Merchant's is noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-31761003750015432242011-09-03T22:39:00.000-04:002011-09-03T22:39:01.914-04:00Black and White Photography Event at Mercantile Home: Saturday, September 17thFeaturing the photography of Larry Fink
Posted by: Noël Jones
West Ward residents, Ken Jones and Ron Morris at Mercantile Home are hosting a new exhibit entitled "THE MOMENT" featuring black and white photography by Larry Fink, with additional work by Diane Stiglich and Ian Sumners, on Saturday, September 17th from 4-7pm, so make sure to stop by their store at 140 Northampton Street after the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-50321191770006549792011-09-03T12:16:00.000-04:002011-09-03T12:16:08.735-04:00Riverside Festival of the Arts Features Plein Air Painting Contest September 17th and 18th
Posted by: Noël Jones
The 15th Annual Riverside Festival of the Arts will run Saturday and Sunday, September 17th 10am-5pm and September 18th 10am - 4pm this year, in Easton's Scott Park at the convergence of the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. Shaughnessy Law Offices is sponsoring another plein air painting contest (paintings done outdoors, and of the outdoors, in the "open air") and there is noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-42893047338357907262011-09-01T20:40:00.001-04:002011-09-03T22:56:14.863-04:00Easton's School Board Can Fire Superintendent
Posted by: Noël Jones
I have been hearing a lot of complaints in the community about Easton Area School District's Superintendent, Sue McGinley for two straight years now, from the decision to fire 72 teachers last year, to her taking home $324,000 this year (her new salary of $170K + tuition reimbursement for finishing her doctorate and unused vacation over the last three years, according to noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-33829625244770865932011-08-31T14:21:00.001-04:002011-09-01T12:51:02.919-04:00Still Waiting for Superman: The EASD Fails to Meet Exam Standards AgainIf you have a Netflix account, please "Watch [this] Instantly" on Netflix today, to understand what we're up against as a community--and a nation--with regard to education in our schools: Click here
Posted by: Noël Jones
I finally had the opportunity to watch Waiting for Superman, and what a powerful and deeply upsetting film it was. I really had no idea. Please see this film as soon as possible.noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-40907028991882718472011-08-30T21:06:00.003-04:002011-09-07T12:52:01.549-04:00Can We Please Put These Wall Street Crooks in Jail Where They Belong?Please sign this petition: No Sweetheart Deals for Wall Street Banks on Mortgage Fraud
Posted by: Noël Jones
Matt Taibbi--the same reporter for Rolling Stone who broke the story on the SEC document-shredding scandal--now brings us this report on a deal that the Obama administration and major Wall Street bankers responsible for the crash of our economy are trying to strike with the attorneys noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-51345134606919983692011-08-30T20:50:00.003-04:002011-09-05T10:18:37.492-04:00Major Anti-Fracking Conference in Williamsport, PA Saturday, September 17th
Posted by: Noël Jones
Attention all residents against drinking water contamination from fracking for natural gas--this is the event you won't want to miss--here's why:
Ban Fracking at Municipal Level Conference
Sept. 17th 10am - 4pm
Genetti Hotel & Suites, Terrace Room
200 West 4th Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
For more info contac: info@celdf.org (717) 498-0054
1. CELDF (Community noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-70782127117623446192011-08-30T18:39:00.001-04:002011-08-30T18:40:02.343-04:00Meet Janet Matthews, Easton School Board Candidate for Region IIIJanet MatthewsPosted by: Noël Jones
The Easton Democratic Committee has chosen their candidate to run for the remaining two years of the school board seat vacated by Jen Holzberger in Region III, which covers part of Lower Mount Bethel Township, Forks Township and Easton's West Ward and College Hill neighborhoods. I had the opportunity to sit down with Janet Matthews in her Forks Township home, noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-28019923088280030622011-08-28T09:11:00.001-04:002011-08-28T09:58:04.233-04:00Major Flood Threat Along the Delaware
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to Tony Rhodin of the Express-Times, the threat of flooding along the Delaware has now been elevated to a major threat, with projections on par with the flood of 2004. The high water
mark is expected to reach 32 feet by 6pm on Monday. It's important to remember that floods usually happen after rainfall is over, as water continues to run off over already noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-74610337867117689702011-08-27T18:27:00.000-04:002011-08-27T18:27:49.670-04:00Schools Closed on Monday, August 29th in Easton Area Due to Hurricane Irene
Posted by: Noël Jones
SCHOOL CLOSURE:
Due to Hurricane Irene and likely flooding of the Delaware River in the Easton area, Easton area schools will be closed on Monday, August 29th.
Continue to check the NOAA web site for hazardous weather and flood
warnings, and be sure to have an evacuation plan in place in case your home experiences flooding. Remember to NEVER DRIVE on flooded roads--it noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-72034478083758341182011-08-25T20:23:00.000-04:002011-08-25T20:23:30.034-04:00Easton Tags Six Properties for Initial Phase of New Anti-Blight InitiativeThe old armory at 687 Northampton Street is on the priority list.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Ed Sieger of the Express-Times reports that the Vacant Property Review board has chosen six of the 38 properties that it originally designated as either blighted or vacant, for the first phase of the city's new anti-blight initiative. The hope of the city is that the owners will remediate their properties now,noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-68061701647756848292011-08-25T18:28:00.000-04:002011-08-25T18:28:44.489-04:00If the Storm Doesn't Get You Friday, the Music WillBrought to you by the Main Street InitiativePosted by: Noël Jones
If Hurricane Irene hasn't hit our area by tomorrow night (which should be the story, since our area isn't supposed to get hit until Saturday) then by all means, get down to Centre Square from 7:30 - 9:30pm and
hear the funk/jazz/R&B ensemble, The Doug Hawk Proposition in a free live concert. This is one of the better bands in thenoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-89381283668654946202011-08-25T17:42:00.001-04:002011-08-25T19:04:16.150-04:00The Latest on Fracking in Three States: PA, NJ, NYNew York State Senator Greg Ball describing fracking in PA and calling for moratorium.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Now that the drinking water contamination resulting from the process of fracking for natural gas has been raised in the mainstream consciousness, and Ian Urbina of The New York Times has reported in his recent article that the U.S. Geological Survey has cut its estimates of natural gas noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-54099089855228239822011-08-25T08:51:00.005-04:002011-08-27T16:05:01.408-04:00Hurricane Irene Headed Our WayThis sucker is HUGE...Posted by: Noël Jones
UPDATE: THE DELAWARE IS EXPECTED TO FLOOD BY 6PM TODAY. Click here for NOAA flood watch in NJ/Eastern PA.
Hurricane Irene, a Category 4 storm, has already ravaged the Bahamas and is headed straight up our eastern seaboard, due to hit the Carolinas on Saturday and then travel up the coast. So far the word is that
all preparations for our area should be noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-36599867365812508412011-08-24T21:22:00.002-04:002011-08-24T21:23:40.404-04:00Genesis Bikes to Host Annual "Bike to Brunch" on September 11th: Register Now!However, the Genesis event will not be clothing-optional.
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to Kelly Huth's article in the Express-Times, Genesis is expecting hundreds of cyclists for their annual Bike to Brunch event to be held on September 11th this year. Riders can check in at 10 a.m.,
and escorted rides begin at 11 a.m. Cyclists will ride to Hugh Moore Park for a free brunch, live music, a noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-25264586374089203732011-08-23T15:17:00.001-04:002011-08-23T15:42:19.352-04:005.9 Earthquake Rocks East Coast
Posted by: Noël Jones
Being that I'm from Alaska, I grew up with frequent earthquakes, as well as the lore of my parents' generation, who were around for the Great Alaskan Earthquake of '64, which was 9.2 on the richter scale--the largest quake ever recorded in North America, and the second
largest in the history of the world. It ripped streets and buildings apart within four minutes. It noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-80036534431003663662011-08-21T14:43:00.001-04:002011-08-21T23:42:29.636-04:00SEC Whistleblower Exposes SEC Document Shredding on Maddoff and Wall Street Bankers
Posted by: Noël Jones
Again--why isn't this all over the news?
According to Matt Taibbi's article for Rolling Stone Magazine, a Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblower, SEC attorney Darcy Flynn, has reported to Congress that the SEC shredded over 9,000 documents in 2008, at the height of this country's financial collapse, some of them having to do with the Bernie Maddoff ponzi noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-88056318734000943382011-08-21T11:14:00.000-04:002011-08-21T11:14:17.619-04:00How Jimmy Carter Saved Beer
Posted by: Noël Jones
I have to give a shout-out to another local blogger, Jon Geeting, who's blog Lehigh Valley Independent is great if you've haven't read it already. I'm linking one of my favorite posts of his here--on how Jimmy Carter saved microbrews from extinction in America. Our local pubmeisters are sure to find this interesting...noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-41897245137945609722011-08-21T10:56:00.001-04:002011-08-21T10:56:50.905-04:00Analyst Blows Whistle on Moody's Rating System
Posted by: Noël Jones
This article by Henry Blodget of Business Insider on line, a former Senior Vice President at Moody's has blown the whistle on the rating agency's irresponsible practices with regard to rating financial products that eventually led to the crash of our economy.
William J. Harrington, an employee of Moody's for 11 years, starting in 1999, worked his way up the ranks of noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-52512895339663343922011-08-21T10:04:00.000-04:002011-08-21T10:04:41.284-04:00Genesis Bikes Offer Cash for Clunkers
Posted by: Noël Jones
This deal seemed to good not to post--Genesis Bikes is offering a "Cash for Clunkers" program where you will get $25 - $100 for turning in your old bike when purchasing a new one and you can combine this offer with their ongoing clearance sale.
Click here for details and turn in that clunker!noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-60701303296541379172011-08-21T08:56:00.000-04:002011-08-21T08:56:58.748-04:00Journalists Must Demand Political Answers
Posted by: Noël Jones
I am posting this interesting op-ed from The Morning Call, penned by Ken Sturzenacker, who, aside from being a regular commenter on this blog, is the former head of the Libertarian party for Pennsylvania. Regardless whether you share his political views or not, he makes really great points about the need for journalists and television moderators to demand answers from noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-62009246770231481672011-08-21T08:25:00.000-04:002011-08-21T08:25:22.868-04:00Be a Mentor!Posted by: Noël Jones
West Ward resident, Althea Ruffin, is working with the YMCA to help put together a mentoring program for our city's youth. The program is a joint venture with Easton Police Athletic/Activities League (EPAL). Althea is a great person, so if you've ever considered being a mentor to a child in our community, I encourage to you get in touch with her. Below is a message about noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-49739551913043690352011-08-21T00:28:00.000-04:002011-08-21T00:28:53.256-04:00How's This for Government Waste? Pennsylvania Democrat John Murtha Diverted Millions of Taxpayer Dollars to Tiny Pet Airport
Posted by: Noël Jones
This makes me really mad and is a perfect example of how badly the Democratic party in Pennsylvania needs to be reformed. Fortunately, there are young progressives who are working hard to do just that, but this video above is a testament to just how bad wasteful spending on earmarks by the oldtimers has gotten. Apparently, being a Vietnam vet doesn't make you an honest noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-85544453914461458162011-08-19T22:00:00.000-04:002011-08-19T22:00:20.183-04:00What the TIF?! Chrin Seeks to Build Interchange on 33 to Develop Farmland into Commercial Real EstateThis is blight?
Posted by: Noël Jones
My Republican and libertarian friends will have to excuse me on this post, because I am about to expose myself for the hippy love child that I am. Ever heard of a TIF? Me either. But at the Easton Area School Board meeting last night, there was a presentation for one on the agenda. The presentation was loooooong and boooooooring and the kind of tax talk that noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-39613829596123225902011-08-17T18:45:00.001-04:002011-08-17T18:48:30.317-04:00Why I Love Jon Stewart So Much: Daily Show Calls B.S. on Media Blackout of Ron Paul After Strong Showing in GOP Debate and Ames Straw Poll
The Daily Show - Indecision 2012 - Corn Polled Edition - Ron Paul & the Top Tier
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
Posted by: Noël Jones
Jon Stewart tells it like it is. While both the liberal AND conservative media channels pretend like Ron Paul doesn't exist, Jon Stewart points out the inconvenient truth--that Ron Paul won the popular noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-63574211649825543542011-08-16T11:16:00.001-04:002011-08-16T13:15:01.950-04:00CENSORSHIP: If This Doesn't Disturb You, It Should
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to an article by Carrie Johnson on the National Public Radio (NPR) web site, authorities for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), San Francisco's subway system, shut down all cell phone signals in their subway system Thursday, for hours, to prevent a protest in response to the recent shooting of a citizen by police. Problem is, as the article points out, that also noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-11894400252476914442011-08-15T22:27:00.000-04:002011-08-15T22:27:43.975-04:00Benefit for Tombler's Home Bakery TUESDAY Night at Black & BlueThe Tombler's Home Bakery booth at the Easton Farmers Market
Posted by: Noël Jones
Kelly-Jo Ditze and Larry Porter, the owners of Black & Blue, are hosting a fundraiser tomorrow (Tuesday) night for Tombler's Home Bakery, whose home business was lost in a tragic fire recently. The benefit will be from 6-8pm with a minimum donation of $10 at the door (but please feel free to donate more). Below isnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-18963588928540928092011-08-15T13:28:00.000-04:002011-08-15T13:28:49.455-04:00Puppets Theater in Centre Square This Thursday
Posted by: Noël Jones
Bring the kids! Patchwork Puppet Theatre will perform on Thursday, August 18th from noon to 1pm in the southwest quadrant of Easton’s Centre Square as part of the Summer in the Square series. The performance is free and open to the public.
Roger Von Bing returns to Centre Square after several successful past performances there. Patchwork Puppet Theatre has been noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-955653021448901352011-08-15T09:59:00.000-04:002011-08-15T09:59:16.848-04:00Easton and Bethlehem Schools Under Scrutiny for Anomalies in Standardized Test Scores
Posted by: Noël Jones
Sara Satullo reports for the Express-Times that Shawnee Middle School, Paxinosa Elementary School, and Freedom High School in Bethlehem are being investigated by the PA Dept. of Education for possible cheating on PSSA exams, due to anomalies in the results-
-large jumps in test scores over the previous year, especially among minorities--and many erasure marks where noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-1984256083291715112011-08-14T13:25:00.001-04:002011-08-14T13:26:39.515-04:00Beating Back Blight: The City Takes On Easton's Ongoing Plight of Rundown and Vacant BuildingsMayor Panto at the press conference on the city's new anti-blight initiative,surrounded by poster boards of blighted properties now on Easton's hit list.
Posted by: Noël Jones
I am posting this more as a preview of the future post to come. I am working on a more in-depth story on the code enforcement process in our city, and all the variables involved, from residents, to code officers, to electednoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-82938203842088012072011-08-12T08:08:00.000-04:002011-08-12T08:08:07.681-04:00National Farmers Market Week Culminates This Saturday, August 13th at the Easton Farmers Market, One of Only 12 Farmers Markets Honored NationwideEaston Farmers Market has 40 vendors this year, up from 28 last year as America's oldest open-airn farmers market continues to bloom.
Posted by: Noël Jones
This is amazing. When I moved here almost five years ago, the farmers market in Easton seemed to be on its last legs, limping along with only five or six vendors. When I talked to long-time residents about it, they told me that actually it noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-853309968380817092011-08-12T00:39:00.000-04:002011-08-12T00:39:23.343-04:00Chrin Landfill Lawyer Publicly Condemns Williams Township Residents
Posted by: Noël Jones
Williams Township residents have been fighting the expansion of the Chrin Landfill for more than eight years now, complaining that the landfill is an eyesore and stinks badly and damages the property values of residents living nearby. In Colin McEvoy's article for the Express-Times, the residents, in their latest opposition move, apparently filed a lawsuit against the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-42682383570486694872011-08-11T20:13:00.000-04:002011-08-11T20:13:29.955-04:00Ron Paul Heads Into Iowa's GOP Debate Tonight in 3rd Place with 14%Ron Paul (R) is really a libertarian, which means he is against overseas military aggression and wasteful military spending, against torture and violations of civil liberties, and against perpetuating the fragile house of cards that is our fractional reserve banking system.
Posted by: Noël Jones
It's really strange that in the incessant chatter about the GOP presidential race, on both liberal noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-18080228394440058712011-08-11T17:23:00.000-04:002011-08-11T17:23:57.392-04:005 Citizens Step Forward to Run for Easton Area School Board Vacancies!The five new candidates are (from left to right) Janet Matthews, Kenneth Kasprzak, Cathy McIntyre, Bonnie Green, and Bob Moskaitis.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Colin McEvoy reports for the Express-Times that five intrepid Forks residents have said enough is enough, and have thrown their hats into the ring in the race for two school board seats vacated by Sarah Bilotti and Jen Holzberger of Region IIInoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-44758127927147249772011-08-11T16:11:00.000-04:002011-08-11T16:11:50.749-04:00Easton Area School Board Update: Castrovinci Switches to 2-Year RaceFrank Castrovinci (right) is no longer challenging Kerri Leonard-Ellison (left) in Region II, but has instead chosen to run for the remaining two years of the vacated seat to which he was appointed at the last school board meeting.
Posted by: Noël Jones
It is not often that I make a wish, and it comes true. Especially when breaking the cardinal rule of wish-making, which is that you can't tell noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-20937932078799073852011-08-10T11:49:00.001-04:002011-08-10T11:57:47.637-04:00An Alternative to the NID: Dennis Lieb to Present on Neighborhood Parking Districts at Tonight's Easton City Council MeetingEaston Planning Commissioner, Dennis Lieb will present an alternative to raising taxes for the NID tonight at Easton City Council's public hearing for the NID.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Anyone interested in the proposed Neighborhood Improvement District downtown (NID), or ways to revitalize our blocks and neighborhoods city-wide, will want to make it a priority to attend Easton's City Council meetingnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com332tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-7110013831284815012011-08-10T10:28:00.000-04:002011-08-10T10:28:01.511-04:00Easton-Born Expert on Natural Gas Drilling Returns to Warn PA about FrackingDr. Anthony Ingraffea, Professor of Fracture Mechanics Engineering for Cornell University, dispels myths and gives lecture to warn Pennsylvanians about the true dangers of fracking for natural gas.
Posted by: Noël Jones
I know how much Easton loves the "oldtimers"--those born and raised in Easton--and how when a lot of the oldtimers hear warnings from a blogging "newcomer" like myself about the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-3948668746902770532011-08-09T18:24:00.001-04:002011-08-09T18:31:21.242-04:00MUST SEE VIDEO: Dylan Ratigan Breaks Down The Economy & Jobs In His Epic "Network" Moment
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Posted by: Noël Jones
No has explained the real problem with our economy and our 18.2% jobless rate in this country better than Independent commentator Dylan Ratigan did today on MSNBC, when he got totally passionate, called B.S. on everybody, broke it down in plain-speak, and called out those responsible on both sides ofnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-63040699882762230432011-08-09T12:03:00.000-04:002011-08-09T12:03:10.479-04:00Boys and Girls Club of Easton Calls On Other Youth Groups to Work Together and Share ResourcesDirector Dean Young in the gym that is getting refurbished at expanded Boys and Girls Club in Neston Heights on Easton's South Side. The gym, as well as the rest of the facility, will be available to kids from all over the city, including Boys and Girls Club Teen Center members from the West Ward.
Posted by: Noël Jones
In his article for the Express-Times, Colin McEvoys reports that the Boys noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-64312853639564141532011-08-09T09:23:00.001-04:002011-08-09T09:49:08.800-04:00Market Chaos Clouds Underlying Issue Impeding Job Creation
This is not a chart of yesterday's stock market panic.This is the number of manufacturing jobs available in the U.S. since
President Clinton signed NAFTA.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Jobs, jobs, jobs. This recession is all about jobs for most Americans, not the stock market. The stock market is a luxury of half of the middle-class, and the wealthy, and when the bottom seems to fall out of the marketnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-37004943652107264442011-08-07T12:29:00.000-04:002011-08-07T12:29:01.469-04:00Easton Basketball Hopeful and Honor Roll Student Dies of Mysterious Illness
Posted by: Noël Jones
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann for the Express-Times reports the tragic death of an Easton Area High School student, due to a mysterious illness that came upon him and took his life within hours. 15 year-old Lewis Ogioba fell ill at basketball practice on Tuesday evening, was transported to Easton Hospital and then discharged. After he went home that evening, he began to feel even noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-56806032911438329932011-08-07T08:00:00.001-04:002011-08-08T15:30:27.406-04:00Movies at the Mill Gears Up for Fall: Submit Your Films! Volunteer for the Film Festival!Easton resident and independent filmmaker, Gershon Hinkson, is ready to roll on the Movies at the Mill film festival again this fall at the old Simon Silk Mill. Film submissions to this year’s fest should be sent to Igneous Features, P.O. Box 1055, Easton, PA, 18044-1055, Attn: MME3. Film submission forms and more volunteer information can be found on the MME website, moviesatthemill.com.
Posted noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-1674175443735969072011-08-06T22:14:00.001-04:002011-08-06T22:15:25.054-04:00On Line Poll: Should We Go to All-Electronic Tolling in PA?
Posted by: Noël Jones
Senator Mensch has issued the following call to residents to take an on line poll conducted by the State of PA to get feedback on the possibility of going to all-electronic tolling on our highways:
Turnpike Soliciting Input on All-Electronic TollingCommission conducting online survey on ending cash paymentsThe Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is conducting an online noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-60719202689611186662011-08-06T15:17:00.001-04:002011-08-06T15:17:42.782-04:00West Nile Virus Is Back: Break Out the Bug Spray and Dump All Standing WaterThe West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Adam Clark of The Morning Call reports that the West Nile Virus has made its yearly visit back to the Lehigh Valley, and while there is no reason for residents to panic, we should remember to take the following precautions:
"The prime breeding ground for mosquitoes is the standing water around the outside of homes. The noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-18349418232179292812011-08-03T18:02:00.000-04:002011-08-03T18:02:10.677-04:00Crack-Down: Drug Raid in the West Ward, but Sales Were Downtown
Posted by: Noël Jones
Michael Buck reports for the Express-Times that two buildings were raided simultaneously in the West Ward today, one on the 100 block of S. 5th Street--a beautifully maintained street on the border of the West Ward and downtown, --and one on the 1000 block of Butler Street, in connection with a suspected crack cocaine ring. Several arrests were made. This joint bust by thenoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-68252333309589591292011-08-02T14:03:00.000-04:002011-08-02T14:03:50.466-04:002nd Plastics Fire in Our Area in a Month Rages in Plainfield TownshipHow do plastic factory fires affect our air, water and farmland?
Posted by: Noël Jones
This is really awful. According to Tracy Jordan's article for The Morning Call today, our area is experiencing its second major plastics factory fire in a month, coughing billowing black clouds of toxic smoke into our air. Apparently this fire has been raging at Nicos Plastics in Plainfield Township since 5:00noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-68978111022344985532011-08-02T13:01:00.001-04:002011-08-02T15:05:30.664-04:00Check Out This PBS 39 Video on Easton!
Posted by: Noël Jones
West Ward resident, Tim Hare, sent me the link to this Tempo inDepth video that PBS did on Easton recently, featuring an interview with Mayor Panto, professors at Lafayette College and Kim Kmetz of The Main Street Initiative. The part on Lafayette's Williams Arts Center on Third Street as a town-gown bridge was interesting, especially since it has a lot of shots of the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-2587032937924098312011-08-01T15:23:00.000-04:002011-08-01T15:23:10.824-04:00Lafayette Student Starts Program to Introduce the Farmers Market to West Ward Residents at Centennial ParkLafayette student, Emily Zangla (far right), and Theresa Bauchspies, Park Manager for Weed & Seed, serve West Ward residents at Centennial Park empanadas and cheese bread from Farmers Market vendor Terra Café during Weed & Seed's Summer Nights program on Wednesday
Posted by: Noël Jones
Emily Zangla, a rising sophomore at Lafayette College, studying Biology and History, hopes to eventually go to noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-87588002203225772372011-07-31T22:50:00.000-04:002011-07-31T22:50:07.870-04:00NID for Downtown Easton Headed for More Revisions After Public Feedback$417,000?
Posted by: Noël Jones
The original Neighborhood Improvement District or NID proposed for downtown Easton to maintain the Main Street Initiative and Easton Ambassador program is "dead in the water" according to Mayor Panto, as quoted in Jim Deegan's article in the Express-Times. As a result of a few public meetings than rendered not just protest, but creative resident feedback, the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-76648870464869428672011-07-29T08:49:00.000-04:002011-07-29T08:49:57.140-04:00Attention All Bug Freaks and Bug Fans: Bug Fest this Saturday!Love Motel for Insects by Brandon Ballangée
Posted by: Noël Jones
The Art of Urban Environments Festival will be hosting a bug party and nocturnal field trip this Saturday for any kids out there who LIKE BUGS. Designed to give visitors a close-up look at insects, the Bugfest takes place Saturday, July 30 at Lafayette College’s Williams Visual Arts Building on North Third Street, Easton from 2-5 noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-5961676862119837102011-07-28T23:30:00.000-04:002011-07-28T23:30:39.342-04:00Shots Fired on the 1300 Block of Washington Street
Posted by: Noël Jones
The Express-Times reports that shots were fired on the 1300 block of Washington Street in the West Ward at 2:15 a.m. this morning. One of the bullets struck a bedroom of a 15 year-old boy, but luckily he was not injured. No suspects have been identified. Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Joseph Alonzo at 610-250-6780.noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-20492327831227247702011-07-28T15:42:00.001-04:002011-07-28T15:55:45.427-04:00An Independent Argument for Raising the Debt Ceilinghttp://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lehighvalleyforcompromise/
Posted by: Noël Jones
I want to be absolutely clear on this one. I picked the image above intentionally, because I believe that our fractional banking system based on the Federal Reserve IS a house of cards, and that because of it, we are great danger of true economic collapse as a nation. BUT, when it comes to the battle that has noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-2327931857011572002011-07-27T19:21:00.000-04:002011-07-27T19:21:50.933-04:00Easton Area School Board Candidate, Frank Pintabone, Calls for More Rigorous and Transparent Review Process for Engineering ContractFrank Pintabone (D), Region II candidate for EASD School Board
Posted by: Noël Jones
I've got to say, Frank Pintabone has been doing his homework, knocking on doors, filing Right-to-Know requests with the district, attending school board meetings, speaking up for resident concerns and taking his run seriously. The Region II candidate has issued a press release in response to residents' concernsnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-11933275758303232422011-07-27T15:37:00.000-04:002011-07-27T15:37:15.712-04:00See Marionettes Perform and Make Some Puppets! July 30th
Posted by: Noël Jones
Below is a message from Lafayette College regarding this weekend's performance associated with the Art of Urban Environments Festival:
Mock Turtle Marionette Theater Presents The Dancing Granny at Easton Area Public Library July 30
Family entertainment includes African and African American storytelling, live music and puppet-making workshop
Easton, Pa. (noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-4770979278693798922011-07-26T13:58:00.001-04:002011-07-26T14:33:45.061-04:00Fringe Festival Closes Five Weeks Early Amid QuestionsEvie Gulick, founding member of Chansonette Theater and City Councilman Mike Fleck--and also an actor with Chansonette--on opening day of the Fringe Fest.
Posted by: Noël Jones
When I first heard that there was going to be a fringe festival in the West Ward this summer, it was from an irate resident. The festival was already in the midst of controversy even before being announced, because noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-20935425126639016312011-07-25T12:55:00.000-04:002011-07-25T12:55:11.621-04:00Road Work Ahead for the Easton Area Includes Installation of New Handicapped Ramps around New Water Main, and Bridge Repair
Posted by: Noël Jones
Ed Sieger and the Express-Times staff have been working hard to keep us abreast of road repairs on the horizon, and it looks like we're in for a lot road work in the Easton area:
Road repairs and new handicapped ramps around new water main installation
PennDOT seeks public input regarding 611 bridge repairs
PennDOT has started bridge repair on I-78 between Exit 71 and noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-44348861779847318992011-07-25T09:10:00.002-04:002011-07-27T12:10:34.373-04:00Easton's Got Soul: Temjin to Perform R&B Vocals at the Quality Inn's Banquet Room
Posted by: Noël Jones
I've only heard Temujin sing a couple of songs at an open mic once, but this man's got a serious voice and a lot of soul and is worth checking out next weekend for those who love R&B. Temujin will be performing with a group called Jack Moon in the Banquet Room at the Quality Inn at 185 S. 3rd Street in Easton. Tickets are $20 and dinner is included. Dinner at 6:30pm, show noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-549648926437415592011-07-24T15:12:00.001-04:002011-07-24T15:40:17.164-04:00Flash Mob Inspired by Mercantile Home Couple Gives Surprise Performance at Easton's Farmers MarketEaston residents dance in flash mob performance at Centre Square during Saturday's Farmers Market
Posted by: Noël Jones
The owners of Mercantile Home, Ron Morris and Ken Jones, have done it again. In their latest in a series of community art projects, these West Ward residents managed to spread the word about a hush-hush flash mob musical performance and found residents to attend rehearsals to noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-81726014090737925322011-07-22T15:52:00.000-04:002011-07-22T15:52:40.712-04:00Art in Urban Environments Festival Presents Hip-Hop as an Urban Art Form, Featuring Brandon Albright, Saturday, July 23Illstyle and Peace Productions is a hip-hop troupe out of Philadelphia led by dancer/choreographer Brandon Albright
Posted by: Noël Jones
The Art in Urban Environments Festival is presenting a hip-hop workshop on Saturday
led by Brandon Albright of Illstyle and Peace Productions, and will be addressing hip-hop as an urban art form, hosted by The Easton Boys and Girls Club Teen Center.
Saturdaynoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-25510205173816285372011-07-22T09:44:00.000-04:002011-07-22T09:44:56.431-04:00HR Director John Castrovinci's Brother, Frank Castrovinci, Appointed to School Board; D'Huy Contract Vote Tabled; Kerry Myers Insults PublicFrank Castrovinci (right) was appointed to the school board last night 6:1Castrovinci was appointed to fill a 2-year seat, even though he is on the ballot to run against Kerri Leonard-Ellison (middle) in the fall for a 4-year seat.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Citizens who spoke up during public comment had a small victory at last night's Easton Area School Board meeting--the vote to approve D'Huy noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-20573629663881246512011-07-21T23:00:00.000-04:002011-07-21T23:00:13.103-04:00Height of the Heat Wave Predicted for Friday
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to my iPhone, it's going to be 103 DEGREES on Friday. According to the NOAA weather report for our area, the high will be 100, with a heat index of 109 degrees. They have issued a severe heat warning. Please make sure that any senior citizens you know have access to air conditioning. Looks like we won't get relief until some thunderstorms roll in on Saturday noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-37983389411865480212011-07-21T09:23:00.001-04:002011-07-21T09:24:06.219-04:00Friday, July 22nd: Take a Tour of an Organic Farm and Edible Forest!Gene and Dan Hunter will be leading a tour of their organic farm and edible forest in Easton tomorrow morning from 8-10am
Posted by: Noël Jones
What a cool opportunity! Tomorrow morning, Gene and Dan Hunter are welcoming the public to come take a free tour of their 12-acre organic farm and "edible forest" at 901 Frost Hollow Road in Easton, PA 18040. Dan Hunter has been running a Community noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-45173694372702320002011-07-19T16:06:00.000-04:002011-07-19T16:06:41.891-04:00Jen Holzberger's Resignation from EASD School Board Leaves the 7th of 9 School Board Positions Up for Grabs This FallThe Holzbergers on a recent trip to London, where they will be moving this August.
Posted by: Noël Jones
She seemed almost out of breath when I spoke to Easton Area School Board member Jen Holzberger today about her family's impending move to London. "It's chaos--I only have until Monday to get the whole household packed for the movers!"
Jen Holzberger, after years in the PTA, was elected two noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-27207630920079530882011-07-19T13:50:00.000-04:002011-07-19T13:50:52.731-04:00EASD Superintendent Gets $110K in Taxpayer Money as Reimbursement for Finishing Doctorate at UPenn and Accepts $5,000 RaiseSuperintendent Sue McGinley, right, next to Kerry Myers, School Board President, discussing how to make cuts in the budget projected on the screen behind them. This is when they were still threatening to fire 215 teachers...
Posted by: Noël Jones
Next school board meeting: This Thursday, July 21st, 6pm, 1801 Bushkill Drive
Remember when everyone thought Easton Area School District Superintendentnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-75700613664856428102011-07-19T11:42:00.001-04:002011-07-19T11:43:05.083-04:00Easton's Zoning Board Says Yes to New Restaurant and Jazz Club and No to Check-Cashing
Bank Street Annex on Northampton Street in Easton
Posted by: Noël Jones
Here are two recent decisions by the Zoning Board that make me happy:
1. Ed Sieger reports for the Express-Times that the board approved parking variances for the owner of the State Grill and Cafe to open a burrito shop on College Hill near the campus, and for a new jazz club that is planned for the first floor of the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-50134498964396170342011-07-19T11:01:00.000-04:002011-07-19T11:01:23.814-04:00EASD: District Saves $300K by Bringing Special Education Life Skills Training In-HousePosted by: Noël Jones
Finally, what appears to be completely positive news and good decision-making on the part of the Easton Area School District. According to Colin McEvoy's article for the Express-Times, the district special education life skill's class, which has previously been provided through Northampton County's Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, will be brought in-house, and save the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-19290907540613286872011-07-17T14:32:00.000-04:002011-07-17T14:32:31.176-04:00Tragic Fire Strikes Tombler's BakeryThe Tombler's Home Baker booth at the Easton Farmers MarketPosted by: Noël Jones
Sarah Wojcik of the Express-Times reports that the Tombler Home Bakery--a popular vendor at Easton's Farmers Market--has suffered a terrible fire that has completely destroyed both home and business for the family. Luckily no one in the family died or suffered injury in the blaze, but it is safe to say that this noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-65348454651306897212011-07-16T15:58:00.001-04:002011-07-16T16:31:17.011-04:00Mark Your Calendars for Thursday: EASD to Vote on the D'Huy Contract and Appointment of Frank Castrovinci
It seems Joe Kish's final act on his way off to retirement is to try to hook up his friends at D'Huy again.
John Castrovinci (second from right), the district's HR director, not only has his brother Frank running for school board, but his brother is one of the final applicants being considered to take over Sarah Bilotti's vacated spot on the board, just months before the election.
noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-73821985980661606962011-07-14T22:59:00.000-04:002011-07-14T22:59:58.599-04:00Owners of Cosmic Cup to Start Brewery in the West Ward's Mt. Vernon Ale HouseThe Mt. Vernon Ale House, on the corner of S. 6th, Walnut and Northampton streets in the West Ward.
Posted by: Noël Jones
How many times have we all walked past this beautiful early 1800s ale house, peeked through dust and film on the windows to make out all the cool historic details like the curved wooden bar, the vintage cash register, or the antique telephone operator's switchboard from thenoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-56727638158432393092011-07-14T16:25:00.000-04:002011-07-14T16:25:10.904-04:00Mike Fleck Proposes to Raise Taxes and Expand Government for the NID, and Dennis Lieb Saves the Day
Mike Fleck, West Ward rep on City Council, left, describes "Option 3" (raising taxes) in addition to dipping into general fund to create a new Community Development Fund to support programs like the Easton Ambassadors and struggling local nonprofits. Dennis Lieb, right (the guy Fleck beat in the election), proposes an option that funds the Ambassadors without raising taxes at all.
Posted by: noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-44135941354540553572011-07-14T13:41:00.000-04:002011-07-14T13:41:41.222-04:005th Street Community Garden Potluck This FridayThe 5th Street community garden in the West Ward is on S. 5th and Ferry Streets
Posted by: Noël Jones
It's time for another Friday potluck at the 5th Street garden in the West Ward--bring a dish or something to drink!
Below is a message from Joanne, who takes care of the garden:
Hi friends and neighbors of the garden,
Just a quick reminder that our next potluck will be Friday, 7/22, 6:30-noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-34325543113561864452011-07-12T13:02:00.000-04:002011-07-12T13:02:24.674-04:00Open House at 733 Ferry Street: Easton Redevelopment Authority Green Rehab Project Is Complete733 Ferry Street, green rehab complete
Posted by: Noël Jones
At 4:00 p.m. today the City of Easton's Redevelopment Authority will be holding an open house to show off the transformation of 733 Ferry Street from condemned multi-unit property to green-rehabbed single-family home. Above is the new and improved property. Below are pictures from before and during the rehab. This is definitely a great noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-33416302082789515802011-07-12T10:14:00.000-04:002011-07-12T10:14:20.887-04:00Boys and Girls Club of Easton Conducting College Campus Tours for TeensPenn State Lehigh Valley campus guides (center) with teens from the Easton Boys and Girls Club
Posted by: Noël Jones
The Boys and Girls Club Teen Center of Easton has begun conducting college campus tours for teens, and there are still spots open! Local teens have already visited the campuses of Penn State Lehigh Valley (above), and Empire Beauty School in Whitehall.
Below is the schedule of noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-65001962883224016702011-07-12T09:57:00.000-04:002011-07-12T09:57:43.029-04:00City Council to Discuss Reallocation of CDBG Funds on Wed, July 13th
Posted by: Noël Jones
There will be an Easton City Council meeting this Wednesday at 6pm on the 6th floor of the Alpha Building at One South Third Street. Among other items on the agenda will be the reallocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding after federal cuts to community action funding, which affects our local nonprofits.
Anyone wanting to voice concerns about the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-9709467020582861882011-07-09T23:22:00.000-04:002011-07-09T23:22:58.370-04:00Special Meeting Tuesday, July 12th Re: Intermodal Transportation Facility and the Neighborhood Improvement District
Posted by: Noël Jones
This is going to be an important--and interesting--meeting at City Hall this week.
The first topic up for public feedback in this special meeting called by the City of Easton is the proposed intermodal facility, that would replace the parking garage on Third Street downtown and extend in a far larger complex to cover the lot of the old Perkins and the old Majestic Theaternoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-44179721086213287882011-07-09T22:56:00.000-04:002011-07-09T22:56:43.790-04:00Forks Township Scraps Its Own Plan to Instead Consider Collaborating with Easton to Build Skate Park in Lower Hacketts Park
Posted by: Noël Jones
Now this seems sensible--According to Pamela Sroka-Holzmann's article for the Express-Times, Forks Township has decided in this recession that maybe working together with the City of Easton to build a skate park in Lower Hacketts Park with Easton's Boys and Girls Club Teen Center and business sponsors in the community makes more sense than spending a bunch of tax money to noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-53834680687552832202011-07-08T11:10:00.001-04:002011-07-08T11:10:24.956-04:00Dennis Lieb and Planning Commission Say No to ChrinDennis Lieb is still Easton's top watchdog
Posted by: Noël Jones
The backstory:
A waiver is required for any company that might want to build a waste facility within 900 feet of a city park in Easton, and Chrin wants to build one near Hugh Moore Park. Mayor Panto, who used to work for Chrin, put an item on the city council agenda a few months back, asking council to approve a special waiver for noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-27095297516624451642011-07-07T14:53:00.002-04:002011-07-07T15:19:08.901-04:00Why the Casey Anthony Trial Matters HereSometimes, juries are blind.
Posted by: Noël Jones
When I posted about the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case last week, a reader wrote in to ask, "What does this have to do with Easton?" I answered that the case has dangerous implications for all women under our justice system, but especially immigrant women in service positions. If Strauss-Kahn walks without the D.A. even prosecuting him on behalf of noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-37367696522713603452011-07-07T13:09:00.000-04:002011-07-07T13:09:33.837-04:00GET YOUR GREENS: Fresh Greens Are Ready at the 10th Street Community Garden!Lettuces and chards, ready for picking at the community garden on 10th and Pine Street
Posted by: Noël Jones
All West Ward residents are welcome to come get some greens from the 10th Street community garden! The garden was built by volunteers and sponsored by the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership. There are two community gardens in the West Ward, the other one being the one with the white picketnoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-71456349242865546702011-07-06T18:21:00.000-04:002011-07-06T18:21:54.911-04:00Easton Area School District Intends to Terminate Middle-School Teacher, Stephen Sullivan, for Charges of Sexual Assault Against a 7-Year Old
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to Colin McEvoy's article for the Express-Times, Easton Middle School teacher, Stephen Sullivan, has been suspended without pay since charges of indecent assault against a 7-year old girl were brought against him in February, as well as 100 counts of child pornography. Now the Easton Area
School District says they are taking the appropriate steps to fire him, noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-49918726286941661112011-07-05T17:09:00.002-04:002011-07-06T15:01:05.125-04:00The Art of Urban Environments Festival is in Full Swing in EastonBushkill Curtain, by Stacy Levy
Posted by: Noël Jones
I took this shot of Stacy Levy's art installation Bushkill Curtain from Third Street, looking down on the creek, and I have to admit, it looks pretty cool! A beaded curtain of painted buoys hangs down into Bushkill Creek, responding to water current, water levels, and wind currents. All but one of the exhibits for The Art in Urban noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-70233590565990908662011-07-05T12:47:00.000-04:002011-07-05T12:47:14.568-04:00America on Facebook
Posted by: Noël Jones
This project "Like It or Unfriend It," by Teddy Wayne, MIke Sacks and Thomas Ng, from The New York Times, is hilarious, so I just had to post it. For anyone not on facebook yet, it might not make sense, but for those who are--brilliant. They've basically made up a facebook personal page for America.noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-54071292364354400642011-07-05T11:48:00.000-04:002011-07-05T11:48:50.183-04:00Deep CDBG Cuts Coming for City of Easton
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to Ed Sieger's article for the Express-Times, the City of Easton is facing some deep cuts in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money this year, to the tune of $120,000 more than it had anticipated after the president announced earlier this year that there would be budget cuts to community action money, which is also endangering the Safe Harbor noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-48466037380573589882011-07-04T14:08:00.004-04:002011-07-08T08:42:02.083-04:00Happy Fourth of July, but It's All About Heritage Day in Easton!A reenactor reads the Declaration of Independence to the crowd at Centre Square in Easton each year on Heritage Day, the weekend after the 4th of July, to commemorate the fact that Easton is one of three cities where the Declaration was read aloud in 1776.
Posted by: Noël Jones
For details on activities and road closures for Heritage Day this Sunday, check Ed Sieger's article for the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-18646608401329941412011-07-03T13:28:00.000-04:002011-07-03T13:28:13.871-04:00Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the Media's Weapons of Mass DistractionDominique Strauss-Kahn, who until recently was head of the International Monetary Fund and the frontrunner to be France's next president, is accused of raping a maid from Guinea in the Sofitel Hotel in New York City.
Posted by: Noël Jones
I have been watching the coverage unfold, of the case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn--one of the most powerful men in the world--who is accused of raping an noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-17534287733965042562011-07-02T15:38:00.000-04:002011-07-02T15:38:08.012-04:00Nanga Jazzworld Trio to Perform at Ringside Friday, July 8th
Posted by: Noël Jones
The Nanga Jazzworld Trio, featuring West Ward resident, Patrick Poladian on piano, will be playing at Larry Holmes' Ringside Restaurant at 91 Larry Homes Drive in Easton, on Friday, July 8th from 8pm - midnight. $10 advance/$15 door.
Patrick is French, a terrific jazz pianist, and one of Easton's more colorful personalities--I highly recommend this gig to jazz noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-81871092847560989012011-07-02T14:16:00.001-04:002011-07-02T14:16:53.989-04:00Fracking Banned in France as New York Prepares to Lift Moratorium
Click here to see The New York Times' great visual breakdown of the fracking process. Please pass this link around to help other residents understand the inevitable impact of tens of thousands of these well along the Delaware!
Posted by: Noël Jones
Great. According to David Castelvetcchi's article for Scientific American, France has done what we should be doing: banning hydraulic fracturing ornoel jonesnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-36557070328805713072011-07-02T12:01:00.002-04:002011-07-09T22:41:13.928-04:00Last Chance Clean and Sober Motorcycle Club Members On Way To Friend's Funeral Killed by Drunk Driving Retired Police Officer
Posted by: Noël Jones
This is a great tragedy, and an ironically cruel one. According to JD Malone in his article for the Express-Times, several motorcycle gang members were involved in a crash with a pick-up truck yesterday on Route 512 in Bangor, while on their way to another motorcyclist's funeral. This particular motorcycle club, Last Chance, is a group of men who have come together as a noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-21827054940843377582011-07-01T18:59:00.001-04:002011-07-01T19:14:50.374-04:00Fire in West Ward on Washington Court
It did not appear that anyone was in the building that caught fire today.
Posted by: Noël Jones
Four fire trucks, two ambulances and a few police cars responded to a building fire at what appeared to be 720 Washington Court around 5pm today. Since I live close by, I heard the sirens, saw the trucks--then the smoke--and decided to go get a closer look. The Easton Fire
Department seemed to noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-15881723162476568102011-07-01T09:53:00.000-04:002011-07-01T09:53:19.915-04:00What Will Happen To the Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter?
Posted by: Noël Jones
Tom Shortell of the Express-Times reports that the executive director, Tyson Sprandel, of Safe Harbor, Easton's homeless shelter for men, has stepped aside as a result of federal budget cuts. Alan Jennings, Director of Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV is the umbrella nonprofit that oversees the shelter) is looking for another nonprofit to take over noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-55378480420152127652011-06-30T19:08:00.000-04:002011-06-30T19:08:38.893-04:00Music on the River This Friday Night
Posted by: Noël Jones
There will be another free concert at the Riverside Park Ampitheater at 7:30 Friday night, featuring Exter vs. Kimock (also known as XvK), which I've heard is really great.
Check out a sample of their music here.
These concerts are great when the weather is nice--it's so beautiful on a warm night, seeing the lights from the Free Bridge and Phillipsburg reflected on the noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-24249699088997445442011-06-30T15:34:00.000-04:002011-06-30T15:34:57.110-04:00In the Name of Security, What the Hell is Going On with the TSA?"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."~Benjamin Franklin
Posted by: Noël Jones
A six-year old girl gets hands down her pants. An 95 year-old, wheel-chair bound woman, terminally ill with lukemia gets her diaper examined. A 71 year-old man with a knee-replacement gets his pants pulled down and TSA makes him stand in his noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-78181798781053741592011-06-30T14:31:00.000-04:002011-06-30T14:31:39.720-04:00Which Colleges are the Most and Least Expensive Nationwide?Posted by: Noël Jones
Here is a tool that parents with high school kids getting ready to go to college will find really useful! Under Arnie Duncan's direction at the Federal Department of Education, a web site has been published that ranks the most and least expensive public and private colleges in the country.
Things that caught my attention:
1. Penn State is the most expensive 4-year public noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-12082557418199830222011-06-29T19:21:00.001-04:002011-06-29T19:23:44.103-04:00Republican Presidential Front-Runner, Mitt Romney, to Visit Allentown ThursdayMitt Romney currently leads the New Hampshire polls with 36% of the Republicans polled.
Posted by: Noël Jones
According to Jim Deegan's article for the Express-Times, former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential primary candidate, Mitt Romney, will be visiting Allentown Thursday at 4pm at Allentown Metal Works Inc., a metal fabricating company that
closed down earlier this year, noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846912494710705395.post-91144793336197122872011-06-28T16:30:00.000-04:002011-06-28T16:30:03.509-04:00The Ultimate Shell Game: New York Times Exposes Natural Gas Drillers Manipulating Energy MarketBig Gas is playing with us.
Posted by: Noël Jones
In this exposé for The New York Times, Ian Urbina reveals the content of industry insider emails that suggest that those within the natural gas industry, and those who make their profits by speculating on the energy sector, are deliberately manipulating the market by overstating natural gas reserves--in other words, claiming that the wells will noel jonesnoreply@blogger.com5