Fig Bethlehem Summer 2021

City of

Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley

The Food & Drink Issue I SSU E No 31 | SU M M E R 2021 Celebrating local shopping, dining, arts, events, and community

Recover.Succeed.

Transform.

T E LL E V E RYO N E YO U K N OW A B O U T K O L B E A C A D E M Y—Y O U N E V E R K N O W W H O S E LI F E YO U M I G H T S AV E !

B E TH LE H E M ’ S KO LB E AC A D E MY is the first faith-based recovery high school in the nation, serving students in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions.

There is more one-on-one time at Kolbe Academy, and clearer explanations from the teachers.

They really focus on your understanding.”

TR AV I S , J U N I O R

Co-ed high school

•

All faiths welcome

Rehab and Kolbe Academy saved my life. The decision my mom made to send me here was the best decision she ever made. I never thought I would look forward to school, but as soon as I started talking to everyone here, I could tell they cared. I think other kids just need to know to try it.

Everyone welcomes you at Kolbe Academy with open arms.”

I have learned more at Kolbe Academy in the short time I have been here than any other school I attended.”

T R E N T, K O L B E A C A D E M Y G R A D U AT E

PETE, JUNIOR NO STUDENT WILL BE TURNED A W AY F O R F I N A N C I A L R E A S O N S .

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395 Bridle Path Road

610.419.3333

kolbe-academy.com

Call or visit online to learn more.

I N T H I S I S S U E This summer, explore the dynamic food and drink scene in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Inspired by bountiful farm-to-table produce, vibrant cultural influences, and dishes ranging from familiar comfort foods to those with an adventurous edge, we’ve got it all right here.

Whether in-person or virtual, there’s so much going on right here in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Social Still Distillery comes through this season with a twist on two summer faves: hot dogs and slushies! Stop by and check out their colorful summer menu.

COVER CAPTION

Backyard Bucket List

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Local Business Love Browse this section of Lehigh Valley businesses for a quick look at some local loves.

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Contents

Photography by Brooke Taylr

Taste of the Town(s)

Giving Back: Melanie Lino, Afros in Nature 25

It’s summer and Lehigh Valley restaurants are welcoming us back with more ways than ever to eat and drink our way through the warm days ahead.

Meet our 2021 Social Mission Partner: Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem 40

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ISSU E 31

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Summer 2021

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Bet hlehem, Pennsylvania

Authentic: Yadira Colon-Lopez, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem 41 And of course great shopping, dining, arts, events, and community— as always. Keep Reading

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THE FOOD & DRINK ISSUE

We are a curiously creative team of thinkers and makers who believe that one big idea can change everything. We design and deliver brands that people love.

Meet our team at figindustries.com

C R E AT E D & P RO DUCE D BY F I G I N D U S TR I E S

Credits

PUBLISHER Fig Industries DIRECTOR Kiera Wilhelm SALES DIRECTOR Becky Galante PHOTOGRAPHER Colin Coleman WRITER Robin Lee DESIGNERS Megan Flynn Jason James PRODUCTION Tina Interrante Cara Walker Lisa Side ACCOUNTING Matt Brandt SOCIAL MEDIA Cara Walker

C O M M U N I T Y PA RT N E R S IceHouse Tonight Touchstone Theatre SouthSide Arts District S O C I A L M I S S I O N PA RT N E R Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem ALL THINGS SOCIAL Look for Fig Bethlehem on Facebook and Instagram for daily coverage of local entertainment, events, food, and community.

A D V E RT I S I N G I N F I G To find out how you can strategically market your business through a Fig communications package, contact studio@figindustries.com

Fig Industries is redefining success through social impact and environmental accountability in the communities we serve. Learn more about our B-Corp certification at figindustries.com/b-corp/.

Fig Industries, LLC has made every attempt to ensure that all information contained in this publication has been obtained from reliable sources, but all such information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Fig Industries, LLC. Fig Industries, LLC cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions contained in, or reliance made upon the contents of, this publication. Copyright: Copyright 2021 © Fig Industries, LLC. All rights reserved. Photography or page layout contained in Fig shall not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the specific written permission of Fig Industries, LLC. Contact 717.394.7737 or studio@figindustries.com.

Food is

Community

A note from Fig

THIS ISSUE IS ALL ABOUT FOOD. And food is about the farmers who grow it; the cooks and chefs who prepare it; the folks who deliver it to the markets, to our table, or to our door. A whole community of hardworking people who bring sustenance to our plates.

On these pages, we celebrate that community.

And we remember that food is also about whom we share it with. As we find ourselves safely out and about once again—renewing friendships, re-establishing connection, and making new memories with good friends—we invite you to do so in the way so many great memories are made: with good food.

This time last summer, we couldn’t have anticipated how the ways in which we do business, how we socialize—how we live— would change over the next 365 days. The mission of Fig is as relevant as ever: to “shine a light on local”. To introduce you, our readers, to the diverse tastes and experiences that the region has to offer, and to honor the dedicated small business owners and community members making Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley the uniquely special place that it is. It has been my privilege to have represented every single one of them on our pages.

ISSU E 31

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Summer 2021

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After nearly five years as Director, it's time for me to turn Fig Bethlehem over to another set of loving hands. It’s not possible to express in a single paragraph what this responsibility has meant to me or the gratitude I feel for the experience: for having the privilege of serving this community, for meeting and connecting with so many inspiring individuals, all of it.

As you may have heard, I plan to continue to serve Bethlehem as a member of our esteemed City Council. Having moved successfully through the May primary, I hope to confirm a seat in November—on a historic, first-ever woman-majority council.

That is to say, I’m not really going anywhere.

And in so many ways, I have this experience, and you, to thank for all that is next for me.

I’ll see you around town,

Be a part of the mission. Become a subscriber of Fig and help us spread the “love local” message even farther while giving back—10% of your subscription goes to our Social Mission Partner, Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem. Subscribe at figbethlehem.com/ subscribe. Gift subscriptions available.

Bet hlehem, Pennsylvania

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Owners George Azar and Gus Elias

Got a green thumb?

W H E T H E R YO U ’ R E A L O N G T I M E green thumb, or have recently become a “plant person”, a visit to Azar’s nursery will delight the gardener in you with an incredible selection of herbs, flowers, succulents, hanging baskets, and more! Visit their newly designed website, azarsupermarket.com, offering online shopping and curbside pickup orders with a fast checkout process. Or stop by in person, for a friendly shopping experience with a staff who’s happy to assist.

Run by Owners George Azar and Gus Elias, Azar Supermarket is family owned and operated, and has been for years—and it’s a beloved part of the Bethlehem community.

In addition to an extensive selection of plants, Azar is known and loved for their supermarket, where you can find everything from the basics to specialty international grocery items, exotic fruits and vegetables, and fresh meats and poultry—including Halal meat products.

A Z A R ' S VA S T S E LEC TI O N O F HIGH - QUALITY PLANTS INCLUDES:

Fresh potted herbs Flowers for gardens, pots, and window boxes

The garden at Azar's is open from M A R C H

Pre-planted hanging baskets Succulents for your windowsill

– DECEMBER

Indoor and outdoor plants

with items for all your seasonal needs!

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3131 Linden Street, Bethlehem

FAMILY-OWNED + OPER ATED SINCE 2005

610.867.8111

azarsupermarket.com

One great brand, Three great shops

01 D O M A C I M A R K E T is a “modern day general store” featuring everyday essentials for a healthy and happy home.

From dinnerware to personal care, every item they carry is designed to help you create a home you’ll love.

02 FRO M S TE E L C IT Y PL A NT CO.’ S selection of potted houseplants to D O M A C I F L E A’ S vintage treasures and sustainably-sourced furniture, Plants + Vintage offers the ultimate “green” shopping experience.

03 Need assistance with your home’s interior design? Whether it’s one room or a whole building, D O M A C I D E S I G N S T U D I O is here to create the interior look that is perfect just for you.

Main Street, Bethlehem

610.466.5544

domacihome.com

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S T A E T of the T ) O W N (S I T ’ S S U M M E R A N D L E H I G H VA L L E Y R E S TA U R A N TS A R E W E LC O M I N G U S B AC K ,

ready to make it delicious, with more ways than ever to eat and drink our way through the warm days ahead. Cheers to cherished favorites and exciting new options on the following pages! Let’s make this a summer to remember.

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Mattar Pulao Rice and peas

Daal Tadka

Yellow lentils

Gobi Manchurian

Salmon Fish Tikka

Fried cauliflower

Butter Chicken

Saag Paneer

Spinach and cheese

Butter Naan Garlic Naan

Lamb Korma

AMAN'S ARTISAN INDIAN CUISINE Nestled in downtown Easton, Aman’s is an award-winning, family-run restaurant specializing in North Indian Punjabi cuisine.

With flavors as vibrant as the beautiful dishes themselves, diners are in for a delight.

Featuring made-to-order artisan dishes with Aman’s signature recipes and authentic sauces, Aman’s likes to say the menu will “take your taste buds on a culinary journey!”

We couldn’t have said it better.

336 Northampton Street, Easton 484.298.0400 | amanseaston.com

Why We Love It Not only are the dishes at Aman’s full of extraordinary flavors—they are perfect for sharing! Bring a friend, and order a few.

Proud recipient of Tripadvisor's “Top 10% of Worldwide Restaurants” Award

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DRIP FLAVOR LAB Don’t be fooled. This may look like fun, fast food—but Drip Flavor Lab is some serious cooking. Hand-formed burgers (cooked in Chef Andrew’s signature style), buttermilk (or Nashville hot!) fried chicken sandwiches, and salads go perfectly with house-brewed hard ciders or an old-school milkshake.

Enjoy a meal indoors, on the porch, order online or by phone for takeout. Drip’s colorful, family-friendly atmosphere and familiar flavors will transport you back to your youth!

1310 Main Street, Hellertown | 484.851.3700 | driptheflavorlab.com

Why We Love It Bite into a signature Big Mick or Filet of Chicken— complete with brioche roll and house-made sauces—and you’ll rethink what you think you know about burgers and chicken sandwiches.

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ROASTED Using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, Roasted offers a diverse menu chock full of house-made items that will have your mouth watering. There are plenty of healthy, vegetarian, and vegan options, of course—and if you’re feeling decadent, they’ve got that for you, too. (Oreo or Bacon Encrusted French Toast, anyone?)

With a customizable menu and a rotating array of creative specials for a fresh, local breakfast and lunch, Roasted has something delicious in store for you, whatever your taste!

22 West 4th Street | roastedbethlehem.com | 610.849.2673

Why We Love It One bite of Bacon Encrusted French toast delivers crunch and saltysweet perfection—and Oreo French Toast is a truly decadent way to start your day (trust us)!

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Why We Love It Every Wednesday is “Weenie Wednesday” at Social Still.

With rotating options like Southside Perro Caliente, Chicago Dog, and Seoul Dog, you'll want to make a weekly habit of it.

SOCIAL STILL DISTILLERY An American craft distillery on Bethlehem’s South Side, Social Still specializes in handcrafted spirits, distilled using time honored traditions and local ingredients— and Weenie Wednesdays!

At Social Still, top-notch spirits and cuisine pair perfectly with whimsical food and cocktail options—like their famous “Crushies”—which you can enjoy inside a 100-year-old bank, on their outdoor patio, or at home (thanks to curbside pickup).

530 East 3rd Street socialstill.com | 610.625.4585

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FRANKLIN HILL VINEYARDS If the thought of enjoying locallymade wines, sangria, wine slushies, and snacks on 60 acres with stunning views of the Lehigh Valley sounds good to you, then head out to Franklin Hill Vineyards in Bangor sometime this summer season!

There’s a reason Franklin Hill has won so many awards. The wine is produced with love, and there’s a taste for everyone—whether you prefer dry, sweet, or something in between.

Why We Love It

559 Main Street, Bethlehem 7833 Franklin Hill Road, Bangor franklinhillvineyards.com | 610.332.9463

Who wouldn't love a watermelon wine slushie on a warm summer afternoon?

Plus, check out that color—it's summer in a stemmed glass!

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ONE SPACE REMAINING!

A FOOD & DRI N K DESTI NATION Ground Level at Five10 Flats is a delicious destination!

Flip through the following four pages to learn more.

Approximately 4,000 square-feet of restaurant space (liquor license included) is available on the ground floor of Five10 Flats. Join Starbucks, El Jefe's, Mister Lee’s, Social Still, and Hummus House at one of the hottest food destinations in the Lehigh Valley, on the vibrant South Side of Bethlehem—within walking distance to Lehigh University and directly across from Northampton Community College.

Contact John Callahan at 610.216.0208 for more information.

STARBUCKS Think Starbucks is just coffee?

There's a veritable rainbow of options on the menu, whatever your taste. Stop by Starbucks and sip your way to a summer of yes. Explore their menu of Frappuccino ® drinks and thirstquenching Starbucks Refreshers® beverages, including Mango Dragonfruit, Strawberry Açaí and Kiwi Starfruit.

Why We Love It Extended hours, indoor/outdoor seating, plus online ordering make it easy to enjoy a beverage at the Five10 Flats location.

502 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem | 610.419.3600 | starbucks.com

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4000 sq ft of available restaurant space

WINE AND BOTTLE SHOP

MR. LEE’S NOODLES

EL JEFE’S TAQUERIA

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Michael George, Chef

Erin Chizmar, Owner

Chaz Hampton, Design

Why We Love It In addition to a mouth-watering food menu, Mister Lee’s on the South Side will offer a wide selection of sake, or rice wine, which makes a perfect accompaniment to your meal (and can be purchased at their new wine shop next door)!

Lee Chizmar, Owner

MISTER LEE'S NOODLES Mister Lee’s farm-to-table Ramen is coming to South Side Bethlehem! With menu items like Green Machine (organic tofu and seaweed), Korean BBQ Beef, and Organic Fried Chicken Ramen complete with a 60-minute egg, Mister Lee’s menu is a colorful, playful take on traditional Japanese noodle dishes.

Plus, they source from local farms like Scholl’s, Salvaterra, Primordia, Liberty Gardens, Spring Run, and more—to bring you the best meat and veggies our area has to offer. Mark your calendars for the Grand Opening, and get ready to “Slurp Like Nobody’s Watching!”

514 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem | misterleesnoodles.com | 610.829.2799

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Hummus House's special mac & cheese recipe has made them two-time champs at the Lehigh Valley Vegan S’Mac Down!

HUMMUS HOUSE After years of offering delicious dining and takeout from their original location, Allentown’s beloved Hummus House is moving to Bethlehem’s South Side!

From vegan burgers to falafel, cauliflower club sandwich to spinach pie, the family-owned Hummus House is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes—and their insistence on using only high-quality, fresh ingredients. And they’ve got lots of new and exciting things planned for after their move, so stay tuned!

522 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem allentownhummushouse.com | 610.434.8800

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Why We Love It The diverse menu at Hummus House offers vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as gourmet sandwiches served on great Italian bread that’s delivered fresh every day.

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EL JEFE'S TAQUERIA El Jefe’s Taqueria is bringing made-to-order, street foodinspired Mexican dishes to Five10 Flats. At El Jefe’s, you get to watch your tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, and bowls assembled by their team, right in front of you.

Choose your fillings and toppings at the chef’s bar, where everything is made in-house, so you’re getting the freshest of the fresh. Then, add the heat at the Picante Station, featuring hot sauces from around the globe.

506 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem eljefestaqueria.com | 610.419.2000

Why We Love It “Extras are never extra” at El Jefe’s. Toppings like guac, roasted veggies, plantains, and queso are always included.

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TWISTED OLIVE Twisted Olive believes that handcrafted food starts with handcrafted ingredients. From fresh figs to butternut squash to herbs and off-the-vine tomatoes, many of the fresh vegetables and fruits on Twisted Olive's menu are planted and harvested with love, in Chef Steve's own garden!

Pair your meal with a little something from the eclectic cocktail list, and your evening is set—indoors or on the patio.

Whatever the occasion, Twisted Olive has just the thing.

51 West Broad Street, Bethlehem 610.419.1200 | twistedolivebethlehem.com

Why We Love It With an ever-changing menu of house-made infusions and fresh-squeezed juices, Twisted Olive has endless options for creative cocktails.

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Why We Love It Whether brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktails, a classic burger and fries or panseared halibut with sautéed vegetables—Historic Hotel Bethlehem delivers!

HISTORIC HOTEL BETHLEHEM Elevate your outdoor dining experience this summer at Historic Hotel Bethlehem! The award-winning hotel provides year-round dining in both its Tap Room and 1741 at the Terrace dining spaces—but the warm weather brings tables right to Main Street, where you can enjoy the buzz of Downtown Bethlehem, complete with live entertainment Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings all summer long.

The Hotel’s seasonal menu features locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients and fresh, creative flavors that will truly tempt your palate. Add a cocktail, and you’re all set!

437 Main Street, Bethlehem | 610.625.2226 | hotelbethlehem.com

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Why We Love It Green Vida layers flavors and textures that please our palates!

Like in their Ahi Tuna Tostada: wild caught Ahi tuna, fresh organic mixed greens, creamy avocado, housemade pickled onions and chipotle mayo, black sesame seeds, and freshsqueezed lemon—piled onto a crunchy corn tostada.

GREEN VIDA CO. Now open at Easton Public Market. You can get the fresh and organic (and wildly colorful!) cold-pressed juices, cleanses, wellness shots, superfood smoothies and smoothie bowls, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more—in TWO locations! Both are open and ready to provide you with beautiful food made with love and transparency. What does that mean? It means that every ingredient that goes into their products has been carefully chosen with your health in mind. It means they are providing you with whole, organic, non-GMO, and local food and beverage options so you can feel empowered in knowing exactly what you’re putting in your body. And we’re pretty sure you’ll be happy about it.

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Park Plaza - 1800 Sullivan Trail Suite 330, Easton Easton Public Market - 325 Northampton Street, Easton 610.438.4112 | greenvidacompany.com | @greenvidaco (follow for monthly product giveaways)

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Scott Adams, Head Brewer

FUNK BREWING COMPANY If you’re looking for a quintessential outdoor craft beer experience this summer, Funk Brewing Company is ready for you!

In a beer garden nestled just off Chestnut Street in Emmaus, you’ll find Funk’s brand new outdoor oasis, where you can enjoy pints, cans, or flights selected from their expansive list of brews.

Whatever your experience, whatever you’re craving—a hoppy IPA, a lager, a Belgian ale, or a light, lemony shandy (after a long bike ride, maybe?)— Funk has a beer for everyone.

Why We Love It In addition to a great list of core favorites, the master brewers at Funk are always bringing in rotating seasonal options with flavors like berry, peach, lemon, and more.

19 South 6th Street, Emmaus | funkbrewing.com | 610.421.8270

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SOUTHSIDE ARTS DISTRICT TH E

is the Lehigh Valley’s home for art, entertainment, shopping, and dining. This summer, visit these hidden treasures of South Bethlehem, and treat yourself to some decadent eats, drinks, and fun!

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THE COLONY MEADERY SOUTH BETHLEHEM

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THE FLYING V POUTINERIE

Made from fermented honey, mead is making a buzz, especially in South Bethlehem. Founder and CEO Greg LaBelle is making it his business to create new and bold honey-based alcoholic beverages that surprise the palate and amaze the judges with experimental, dry, and flavored meads. And now with their new flavorful Mead Slushies, you can take your summer beverages to the next level!

The Flying V Poutinerie is the one and only Canadian cuisine restaurant in the area, specializing in poutine, peameal bacon, and Montreal smoked meat! Or try one of their other creative flavors, like Buffalo Chicken (pictured above). Owners Matt and Christie Vymazal make each dish from scratch, in-house, with love.

Their spacious restaurant is two floors, complete with outdoor seating, big screen TVs, and a foosball table.

211 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem 855.632.3669 | colonymeadery.com

201 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem 610.419.2530 | flyingvpoutinerie.com

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COLOR ME MINE They don’t serve food, but you can paint your own place settings at the world's leading pottery studio! They offer hundreds of ceramic shapes to choose from and dozens of colors to create the perfect homemade gift or work of art. Children and adults alike love to paint at their events—or bring home your choice in a take home kit.

This is the place to unwind and get creative!

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25 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem 610.791.2228 | lehighvalley.colormemine.com

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DINKY’S ICE CREAM PARLOR & GRILL Step back in time at Dinky’s Ice Cream Parlor & Grill!

Dinky’s 1950s style restaurant and décor offers the most delicious and authentic “sock hop” style ice cream, burgers, and fries (including the “Bethlehem Beast,” with bacon, pulled BBQ pork, coleslaw, baked beans, and cheese), as well as more modern fare, including shrimp tacos and baked mac and cheese bites!

312 East 3rd Street, Suite 102, Bethlehem 610.419.4716 | dinkysicecream.com

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CAFE THE LODGE At Café the Lodge, you’re not just enjoying delicious breakfast and lunch, homemade baked goods, and catering. The Café, run by the Mental Health Recovery Lodge of Northampton County, also provides housing and employment for adults with mental health concerns and supports members in establishing a meaningful existence. Dine in their garden on the Greenway, surrounded by gorgeous art. Indulge in good food and do good at the same time!

427 East 4th Street, Bethlehem 610.849.2100 | cafethelodge.org

T H E S O U T H S I D E A R T S D I S T R I C T, an initiative of the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation, is committed to creating an economically thriving South Bethlehem Business District. For more information about our merchants, events, and opportunities, please visit southsideartsdistrict.com.

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THE 1758 SUN INN The 1758 Sun Inn is more than a restaurant, distillery, and museum.

It combines these three things in an experiment in historical preservation, using history as an immersion experience. Let people wander, see, and taste historical recipes, and they’ll really engage. “It makes learning about history more fun...I can visualize it. I can see it,” says Monica Round, Head of Sales and Marketing for the distillery, Christmas City Spirits. “There’s no reason not to let people come in and just feel the room,” adds President Randi Mautz of the Sun Inn Preservation Association, which maintains the museum.

Now a “complex complex” of businesses, local Moravians opened the Sun Inn in 1758. It maintains the same charter as it did then as a house of entertainment, though the Main Street staple has lived many lives since then. Brett Biggs, co-owner of Christmas City Spirits which runs the restaurant—Tavern at the Sun Inn—calls its most recent iteration “colonial-modern fusion.” Its modern offerings are all held together by mutual “passions for history” that resonate through to the experience of the customer.

Using herbs from the patio garden, historical names and techniques in Tavern’s dishes, distilling whiskey from local grains, and having dinner in the room where Martha Washington slept aren’t merely a matter of historical efficacy.

They’re also a conviction that there’s something special about this place, and all that is and has been here. “Our bar top is made from one tree from Hellertown,” says Brett. And their patio is surrounded with skip laurels, hydrangeas, and river birches—all indigenous plants.

All Christmas City Spirits distillations mingle history along with personal regional histories. “The Cherry Bounce,” Brett says, “was Martha Washington’s recipe, and we have Boilo— which is a Schuylkill County holiday favorite where our distiller is from...so he's making his great grandmother's recipe.”

They call this idea of tasting the way into the past “alchohistoricism.” Historically, people “distilled what they had and what they were growing around them, so our Barley Whiskey was grown on a single acre up in Lehigh County, and we work with the farmer on that,” says Brett. “We really try to bring everything back to this resonating historical theme.”

Through food, stories, and cocktails, the Sun Inn transports us back, even as it celebrates what is here and now. “When we had an opportunity to make our little mark on the downtown footprint,” Brett says, “to really add something by reflecting Bethlehem’s rich history. That’s really what we want to do.”

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564 Main Street, Bethlehem | 610.419.8600 | suninnbethlehem.org

Giving Back | Making a difference in the lives of others

Giving Back: Melanie Lino, Afros in Nature A C T I V I S M TA K E S M A N Y F O R M S . For Afros in Nature co-founder Melanie Lino, it’s sometimes as simple as food, recreation, and community. Joy and sustenance are part of social justice, she says, and playing outside can be a source of healing.

After Black Lives Matter protests surged last summer, the baker/ owner behind Made by Lino and co-owner of Lit Coffee Roastery and Bakeshop asked herself, “What needs to be done to change the world?” She thought of her garden, the calm it offered her.

“We are connected to this planet.” she says. “We come from this planet.” And that connection needs to be restored.

A kind of “outdoor therapy,” Afros in Nature began as a “support group for people of color to go outside, to go out into nature in order to work on our mental health as a community,” Melanie says. The collective organizes and funds gardening, hiking, paddleboarding, birdwatching, and rock climbing excursions for folks throughout the Valley, many of them first-timers. “Why shouldn't people in an inner city community,” Melanie asks, “black and brown people, be afforded these things that are truly helpful for our mental health and our quality of life?”

Through crowdfunding, Afros in Nature covers the costs of participation for all their meetups. “That’s really important to us,” Melanie says, “keeping outdoor recreation accessible.” But beyond access, the group is also about welcome. “We’ve grown up with this idea that...being outside is for white people. That’s not real, and that's not true,” Melanie says. Afros in Nature is her way of telling black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC): “this is for you.”

Next, Melanie and her partners plan to open a new space in Center City Allentown called Afros Homestead & Café. The site will offer an educational community garden in the back, a café space, and a leadership development program. “We have to keep building environments where people of color are exploring things they haven't before,” she says, “leaving feeling loved and supported, valued.”

More fresh food, more recreational access, more green space, and more community hubs. It’s a start, says Melanie. “This isn’t what’s gonna change the world...but it's a little bit. It's an ingredient in the soup of social justice.”

Learn more about the organization at afrosinnature.org

Learn more about Fig Giving Back at figbethlehem.com 25

NONPROFIT

Moving in a fresh direction S E C O N D H A R V E S T F O O D B A N K knows that our community thrives when everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. Too often, the first thing cut from a household budget when funds are tight are healthy foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk and other dairy, and meat.

Their new FreshForward initiative is a comprehensive approach that increases distribution of fresh, healthy foods to individuals and families in need through their 200+ pantry network throughout Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne counties.

FR E S H FO RWA R D includes mobile fresh food distribution directly to families in need, nutrition education and health screenings, and weekly mass distributions of fresh and perishable foods to their pantry network.

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$1 = 6 M E AL S Everyone deserves access to healthy and nourishing food.

FO R E V E RY $1 D O N AT E D , S E CO N D H A R V E S T P R OV I D E S 6 M E A L S TO T H E FA M I LI E S T H AT N E E D T H E M M O S T. For more information or to donate, visit shfblv.org

NONPROFIT

Dine Out, Do Good Apollo Grill and Generation Next G E N E R AT I O N N E X T is a college readiness, access, and completion program created to correct disparities in education. It ensures that students of color, future firstgeneration college students, and/or low-income students have increased access to opportunities that will further their education. The program helps them achieve college admission, integrate into college life, and complete a post-secondary program. Currently it serves high school students in the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton Area School Districts.

Launched by Bethlehem restaurant A P O L L O G R I L L in September 2020, the Generation Next Scholarship Fund was created to help Generation Next students navigate the financial challenges of their college careers. Through corporate sponsorships and donations, Apollo Grill has raised more than $50,000 to date!

SUPPORT THE GENERATION NEXT SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Dine at Apollo Grill Tuesdays between 5-10 PM. 5% of food sales are donated to the Scholarship Fund.

or donate here

85 West Broad Street, Bethlehem

610.865.9600

apollogrill.com

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NONPROFIT

Good Food, Good Health, Good Work.

AT A LLEN TOW N R ESCU E MISSION

T H E A L L E N T O W N R E S C U E M I S S I O N ’ S L AT E S T E F F O R T T O R E S C U E , R E H A B I L I TAT E , A N D R E S T O R E H O M E L E S S M E N IS NUTRITIOUS MEALS. The Allentown Rescue Mission has always championed healthy lifestyles through case management, life-skills coaching, medical services, and more.

But now they’re going one step further by providing heart-healthy meals.

Their revamped menu has been well-received by the men they serve, but they need the help of donors. Drop off low-sodium items, and fresh fruits and vegetables to keep the men healthy and on the path to restoration!

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355 Hamilton Street, Allentown

610.740.5500

allentownrescuemission.org

Thank you, Kiera!

A F T E R N E A R LY 5 Y E A R S of exceptional leadership, Fig Bethlehem Director Kiera Wilhelm is moving into the next chapter of her career.

We are thankful to Kiera for her thoughtful and compassionate approach to lifting up the small business community in Bethlehem through Fig and shining a light on what makes each and every business unique and truly special. Fig is a better magazine and Bethlehem is a better place because of Kiera Wilhelm.

Kiera is forging a new path as she moves forward with her campaign for City Council and continues to put her brilliant talents, abundant experience, and beautiful energy to work for Bethlehem.We can’t wait to watch her shine!

LOVE ,

figbethlehem.com

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Backyard Bucket List WHETHER IN - PERSON OR VIRTUAL , THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON RIGHT HERE IN BETHLEHEM AND T H R O U G H O U T T H E L E H I G H VA L L E Y.

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JOIN A COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ARTS AND CULTURE. B E CO M E A M E M B E R O F LUAG TO DAY !

Save the Date for FESTIVAL UNBOUND 2021 S E P TE M B E R 10 - OC TOB E R 3 , 2021

01

V I S I O N I N G TH E FUTU R E – TH RO U G H A R T – TOG E TH E R

Touchstone Theatre, along with the Lehigh Valley community and local and national guest artists, will again explore how we can collectively advance our richly diverse community and build more empathy, understanding, and compassion through the arts.

Concerts, theatrical performances, dance, visual art, community meals, workshops, panel discussions, and more will guide our civic dialogue and help us envision —and plan for—our future together.

321 East 4th Street

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610.867.1689

touchstone.org

Starting in July 2021, when you become a member of the Lehigh University Art Galleries, you will receive exclusive access to members-only receptions, programs, and behind-the-scenes events that feature LUAG’s collection of over 17,000 works of art from diverse time periods and cultures. Join dynamic curatorial talks, social gatherings, and exhibition previews—all while meeting fellow LUAG members who value the arts and see museums as places of possibility.

L U A G E X H I B I T I O N S A N D R E G U L A R LY SCHEDULED PROGRAMS REMAIN FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

L E A R N M O R E B Y V I S I T I N G L U A G . O R G 420 East Packer Avenue

610.758.3615

luag.org

Art for All this summer and fall

THE BETHLEHEM FINE ARTS COMMISSION is a non-profit volunteer organization celebrating the importance of the arts in our City.

The commission offers a broad selection of free events throughout the year, including art exhibits, summer concerts, and public arts festivals.

PUBLIC ART REVIEW The future looks beautiful in Bethlehem, thanks to this creative cooperation that oversees the creation of murals, sculpture, and installations throughout the City of Bethlehem.

CITY ART COLLECTION As stewards of the City of Bethlehem’s art collection, BFAC strives to maintain the City’s historic and cultural treasures for future generations.

ARTS GRANTS

Nitschmann Middle School Play BFAC Grant Winner

BFAC invites proposals for arts grants that encourage new works of art, educational programs, exhibits, presentations, and other arts-related activities.

SCULPTURE GARDEN Bethlehem’s Sculpture Garden, nestled in a shaded hollow on the east side of City Hall, is a favorite spot where residents stroll, linger to take in the art and garden plots, or enjoy live music as part of the Sculpture Garden concert series.

BUCKET LIST

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS S E P T E M B E R 14 5 -7: 3 0 PM

Tribute to the Arts Awards Reception Charles A. Brown Ice House Reserve your spot at bfac-lv.org Join BFAC as they toast those whose initiative, talent, and perseverance help enrich our lives by promoting artistic opportunities in our community.

ROTU N DA G A LLE RY Brandon Williams Printmaking July 1 - August 6 Reception: July 11, 2-4PM Jan Crooker & Kristine Miller-Siple Paintings August 12 - September 1 Reception: September 19, 2-4PM BFAC Curated Exhibition nArRaTives: Combining Text & Art Featuring work from Paul Deery, Lucy Gans, Domenick Naccarato, David P. Richards, Maryann Riker, Barbara Schulman September 23 - November 5 Reception: October 3, 2-4PM Florence and Anthony Rodale Photography November 10- December 17 Reception: November 14, 2-4PM VI RTUA L SCU LP TU RE G A RDE N S E RI E S All shows are free. Performances stream at 7PM on the BFAC Facebook page and bfac-lv.org.

June 18 Tribe of Friends June 25 Big Wahu Caribbean Band July 9

Ash and Snow

July 16

Nakked Soul Band

July 23

Red

PO Box 1851, Bethlehem PA 18016

bfac-lv.org

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BUCKET LIST

Lindsey Jancay, Director of Collections & Programming, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Mario "Qbah" Fernandez, Community Curator

Curated by Community Pop Up Arcade at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. Rubia Santana (painter) and Sonanto (musician), at Design After Dark

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & S I T E S T U R N S T O L O C A L C R E AT I V E S T O C R E AT E U N I Q U E E X P E R I E N C E S CENTERED AROUND ART AND DESIGN. Who spends their Friday nights at a decorative arts museum? Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites aimed to answer that question with the launch of Design After Dark, an after-hours programming series. In addition to regular trivia nights, performances, and film screenings, the inaugural year saw the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts transformed into a retro arcade, took participants on a historic bar crawl, and even hosted a pop-up exhibition of art generated by artificial Intelligence.

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610.882.0450

historicbethlehem.org

The result was a unique experience according to Director of Collections & Programming Lindsey Jancay: “These programs invigorated and transformed the museum space through immersive experiences that spoke so authentically to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ role as a hub for storytelling, documentation, and expression within our community.”

This year, the series is back with Design After Dark: Community Curated which brings in creatives from all over the Lehigh Valley to respond to a quote from the late designer Sylvia Harris, “Design teaches us not to make assumptions.” The quote, serving as a unifying theme throughout the series, distills the original intention of Design After Dark—to challenge the perception of what a decorative arts museum is (hint – it's not just antique furniture).

D E S I G N A F T E R D A R K : C O M M U N I T Y C U R AT E D L A U N C H E S O N J U N E 1 8 with “ArtPark,” a launch party for

the Palette 4 zine at the Luckenbach Mill, 459 Old York Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Tickets and more information about the program can be found at historicbethlehem.org.

BUCKET LIST

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Meet the Curators J U LY 3 0 , 2021

TH IR D CU LT U R E CH ILD

Design teaches us not to make assumptions.”

S Y LV I A H A R R I S

Artists of Hispanic descent will share an honest depiction of who a Third Culture Child is in an evening of art and expression.

M A R I O "Q B A H " FERNANDEZ

Mario “Qbah” Fernandez, a Bethlehem-born entrepreneur, music producer, audio engineer, video director, and content creator, was the first Community Curator to sign on for 2021. His 12+ years of experience in the television industry and 9+ years of experience in the music industry allow him to work and travel with Latin Grammy winners and three-time Grammy nominated producers. He also proudly serves as the Vice Chair of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “ I ’m grateful to be part of a program where we can use different aspects of art to create a vibe that leads to conversation and collaboration about the things that are important to our community.”

— Qbah Fernandez

N I C R I CC I O N E & G R E G LI N TO N with A LI S A TO N G G

J U N E 18 , 2021

"ART PARK" Palette 4 Release Party & ArtPark—Celebrate the launch of 4th issue of Palette with a skateboarding installation, art show, and a live performance of the Palette 4 Mixtape.

12th & Market’s Palette magazine effortlessly blends traditional print magazine and digital art, providing previously overlooked artists a platform to showcase their work. With their brand 12th & Market, Nic Riccione, founder, and Greg Linton, account manager, have worked to connect skateboarders and artists of all styles. Event sponsor, Roth Renovations, is based out of Bethlehem and offers services including finish and custom carpentry.

J U LY 8 , 2021

WATER PORTRAITS SESSION Join celebrant Alisa Tongg and other creatives from the Bacon & Lox Society for an evening of water portraits and intention setting at the Monocacy Creek of the Colonial Industrial Quarter in the heart of downtown, historic Bethlehem.

Alisa Tongg is a certified Life-Cycle celebrant, non-denominational minister, and ambassador of Aloha who specializes in creating heartfelt ceremonies and community gatherings. As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Alisa enjoys learning about and practicing Native American ritual, symbolism, culture, and ceremony.

610.882.0450

historicbethlehem.org

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BUCKET LIST

Community Curated

Meet the Curators S E A N PAT R I C K C A S S I DY Sean Patrick Cassidy is a theatre maker from Detroit who applies a therapeutic approach to his artistic practice. He is committed to building a more equitable world for all.

AU G U S T 26 , 2021

GLOBAL WATER DANCES SCREENING & COMMUNITY CONVERSATION Global Water Dances uses the international languages of dance and film to promote awareness and a behavioral shift toward solutions for water preservation and conservation through community engagement. Watch the screening of the site-specific performance and join in the discussion around water issues in the Lehigh Valley.

A DA M E RCO L A N I Adam Ercolani is a Lehigh Valley-based theatre artist, Apprentice at Bethlehem's Touchstone Theatre, and MFA graduate of Moravian College. He employs a multidisciplinary approach to artistic creation, spanning across genres and mediums, and focuses on the empowerment of marginalized communities through creative exploration.

S E P TE M B E R 26 , 2021 P R I S C I LL A S O S N OWS K I

S E P TE M B E R 10 , 2021

JAZZ OFF MAIN Jazz music is all about freestyle and feeling the music— defying expectations about where the piece will go next.

Enjoy an evening listening and dancing to an exclusive performance from some of the best jazz musicians in the Lehigh Valley.

Priscilla Sosnowski is the founder and owner of Encore Live Entertainment LLC. Over her 7 years in the entertainment industry, she has worked with celebrities such as Chris Brown, Carl Payne, Angelina Pivarnick, and more. Priscilla is an avid supporter of the community, serving as a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the outreach coordinator of Cay Galgon Life House.

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610.882.0450

historicbethlehem.org

RAW CULTURE In June 2018, Ms. Matthews arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, where she plans to open an art school called Real Art Works (RAW). Join her at the Luckenbach Mill for a Kenyan cultural experience through art, food, music, and an open conversation about RAW. Robbie Matthews is a collage artist and the founder of Raw Pearls and Miracle Meadows Mentoring Center, a program of Broken Alabaster Ministries. For over 10 years, she has worked in the non-profit industry as an advocate for underserved and underrepresented individuals.

RO B B I E M AT T H E WS

Community Curated

BUCKET LIST

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N OV E M B E R 8 & 18 , 2021

O C TO B E R 2 8 , 2021

DEBUNKING DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS Shweta Jajodia of Allentown’s SJ Interiors debunks common assumptions about interior design with this lecture and workshop.

S H W E TA JA J O D I A Shweta Jajodia is a Lehigh Valley-based interior designer with experience spanning 22 years. Born and educated in India, her education and global work experience translate into highly personalized, functional, and stunning living spaces that blend history, form, function, and comfort.

DRAWING ROOM: STILL LIFE WORKSHOP Join Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) for a hands-on still life drawing workshop that features works from the permanent collection at the Kemerer Museum. In conjunction with the exhibition Thinking through Drawing: Works on Paper, Drawings, and Sketchbooks from the Collection and Community on view at LUAG, participants will be encouraged to experiment with a variety of tools and techniques to strengthen their observational skills.

Leslie Fletcher Blue Curve and Straight Blue Lines, 2008

With over 17,000 works of art from diverse time periods and cultures, seven galleries on three campuses, two art study centers, and an outdoor sculpture collection, LUAG offers exhibitions, free programs, and events for all ages.

LE H I G H U N I V E R S IT Y A R T G A LLE R I E S

FE B RUA RY 202 2 JA N UA RY 202 2

SIDE/THE OTHER SIDE Side/The Other Side is a program of experimental film and video art curated by Ghen Dennis that investigates how people negotiate design systems—both as autonomous individuals and as collective social forces.

Ghen Dennis is an experimental filmmaker, curator and teacher.

Her work investigates the ways we understand power structures, collective narratives, and the role information technology plays in both.

GHEN DENNIS

A PILLAR IN THE BRANCH OF BETHLEHEM’S NAACP: MRS. ESTHER M. LEE M . R AYA H LE V Y Visualize as you venture into any community no matter the size, there is always a person who has left their footprints in the sand of time. Mrs. Esther M. Lee, the current president of Bethlehem’s NAACP, is that person. Visit the exhibition during Black History Month to celebrate the legacy of Mrs. Lee. M. Rayah Levy embarked into the world of Librarianship at Simmons College in Boston, graduating with her MLIS in 2005. Mrs. Levy is currently archiving the personal papers of Mrs. Esther M. Lee, through a grant from the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium.

D E S I G N A F T E R D A R K I S F U N D E D I N P A R T W I T H S U P P O R T F R O M T H E J O N E S A D U LT F U N D .

610.882.0450

historicbethlehem.org

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BUCKET LIST

Looking Forward

to a great new season of local arts All over the Lehigh Valley, artists are dusting off their drums, lights, and dance steps. With the summer months ahead, one by one they will begin to take the stage again. And the IceHouse will be right there to greet them as we move cautiously but optimistically toward a brave new normal.

Follow IceHouse Tonight’s performance series into summer and fall with performances from Basement Poetry, Puertorrican Culture Preservation, Crowded Kitchen Players, DanceLink, Touchstone Theatre, and many more.

Time to come back home to the local culture!

I C E H O U S E TO N I G HT.O RG

AS A MODEL SUSTAINABLE ARTS VENUE, ICEHOUSE TONIGHT serves and shares the

arts of the local culture. It is a vehicle for cultural placemaking, focusing on the works of local and regional artists.

FO LLOW @ I C E H O U S E TO N I G HT O N FAC E B O O K A N D I N S TAG R A M FO R SC H E D U LE A N D U PDATE S

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56 River Street, Bethlehem

icehousetonight.org

Rachel Bell, Assistant Director

Ward Van Haute, Director/Curator

Imagine some art in your home.

AT B E T H L E H E M H O U S E G A L L E R Y, original contemporary artwork by regional artists is displayed in a real-world, home-like setting. Their innovative approach literally walks you through beautifully-staged spaces designed to look like a living room, dining room, bedroom, or bar—and helps you imagine the art in your home. With four unique exhibitions a year, there's always something new and surprising at the Gallery. Stop in and find a piece that speaks to you!

459 Main Street, Bethlehem

610.419.6262

bethlehemhousegallery.com

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SALT.

is an acronym for Sea, Air, Land, and Timeless Established in 2006, S A LT. is a premium eyewear brand from coastal California that is committed to quality construction and timeless design inspired by effortless beauty. The frames are handmade in Japan by skilled artisans. All models, in their designs and colors, reflect a perspective, a panorama, a natural site, a detail. Fox Optical & Gallery, LLC is proud to be the sole distributor for SALT. eyewear in the Lehigh Valley.

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28 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem

610.332.2400

foxoptical.com

BELLA 8/30/2006 - 4/13/2021

Shop in

Style

L A R A B LY D E S I G N S H A S M A D E T H E B I G M O V E to her newlyrenovated boutique at 202 East Third Street—a stunning stone building with tons of curb appeal.

Originally built in 1914, the historic building reflects the Lara Bly signature look, combining the beauty of Art Deco and Art Nouveau with a chic, modern twist.

Filled with light, tin ceilings, original brick walls, and (of course!) sparkling chandeliers, you’ll find glamour and charm in every corner.

Photo credit: Kate Hughes

B O T H FA S H I O N D E S I G N S T U D I O A N D B O U T I Q U E A L I K E , at Lara Bly Designs you’ll find both ready to wear and hand-crafted custom designer clothing, created and made right in the store. Customers can see the complete process from design, illustration, fabric choices, patternmaking, cutting, and sewing. Stop by and find all your style needs—from everyday casual to evening wear—and meet the designer who makes them!

202 East Third Street, Bethlehem

484.935.1025

larably.com

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Social Mission

Transforming the Community Together At Fig, we believe in the power of a community that works together to identify needs and find solutions —one that creates connections and is passionate about helping its neighbors. Each year, Fig partners with a nonprofit organization working to transform the community. Our 2021 Social Mission Partner is the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem. Please join us in supporting them.

Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem The Boys & Girls Club Mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible individuals.

As our Fig Social Mission partner, 10% of every subscription in 2021 goes directly to the work of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem.

Subscribe at figbethlehem.com/subscribe

T

he Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem exists to help girls and boys of every race, economic level, religion, and ethnic culture develop the qualities to become responsible citizens and community leaders. Whether kids just need a secure place to hang out with friends, or want to be involved in a variety of social or recreational programs, the Club provides a positive place to belong—where they can develop self-esteem, personal values, and lifeaffirming skills.

The Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem builds character through everyday leadership and guidance in behavior and attitude. Young people of all nationalities, races, and creeds join together in wholesome recreation and companionship—guided by trained professional staff who serve as positive adult mentors and role models. Club programs help young people succeed in school, stay healthy, learn important life skills, pursue interests in the arts and sports, and explore vocational choices.

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1430 Fritz Drive

610.865.4241

bgcob.org

Most importantly, the Club shows youngsters that someone cares—and wants them to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Follow along throughout the year as we highlight the impactful programs of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem.

Authentic | Leading the way through innovation and example

Together, we're creating the neighborhood and the community we want to see, and live in.”

Authentic: Yadira Colon-Lopez, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem THE COMMUNIT Y ACTION D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P O R AT I O N of Bethlehem (CADCB) has served the South Side since 1998. The nonprofit provides entrepreneurial support, housing rehabilitation, and community development projects that empower residents and enhance civic life on the South Side, and throughout Bethlehem.

“Place-making,” Yadira Colon-Lopez calls it.

Yadira, who goes by Yari, first started working in communication and community engagement at CADCB eight years ago, and “fell in love with the South Side—the diversity, the culture, the food, the language, the music, the people.” A favorite part of working with CADCB, she says, has been “interacting with people that now I live next to,” and being a part of change in the neighborhood. “I love to see things that are not there yet, but could be,”

she says. “Let’s look at this empty space, what can we do with it? How can it address one of our needs?”

Last year, Yari became Director. “During COVID,” she says, “the work that we’ve done might look different than it did in many years before, but it’s still the same driving heart.” What is different? A new “connectivity with the community.” The core of any CADCB project is active participation. “It’s definitely not just us,” Yari says. “It’s us together, alongside with our neighbors. They envision it with us. These committees are not just conversation: they propose and vote on projects, they put together proposals.”

Proposals like the Commercial Lease Subsidy program, which offers 2-6 month lease subsidies for new businesses on the South Side and the Northside 2027 neighborhood, or the new Greenway Farmer’s Market.

The gift of working during COVID, Yari says, is bringing more people to the table.

“We reached a different demographic... we wanted to engage parents and working people,” whose days don’t necessarily end at 5PM. This prevented them from attending community development meetings and making their voices heard. But now that these meetings are virtual, “they’re listening, they’re typing their questions, I’m sure if they unmute themselves you’re going to hear their kids in the background or the pot stirring as they’re cooking.”

Our community is truly invested, more people are driving more decisions now, and taking “ownership of what they want to see in the neighborhoods we serve. And together, we’re creating the neighborhood and the community we want to see, and live in.”

Read more about the organization at cadcb.org.

Learn more about Fig Authentic at figbethlehem.com 41

LOCAL LBL BUSINESS LOVE

EDUCANINE

Photography by Brooke Taylr

MORE FIG

Looking for some help with your new four-legged family member?

If anything good has come out of our time in quarantine, it’s that dog ownership has skyrocketed around the country. Man’s best friend is sharing a new home with residents all over the Valley.

Educanine Training Services is here to provide safe, personalized in-home dog training to you and your new companion. Offering programs for new puppies, adult dogs, and behavior modification, Educanine offers something for every new dog owner.

7017 Herber Road, New Tripoli 484.602.4054 educaninetrainingservices.com

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YOGA LOF T

A ARDVARK SPORTS SHOP

Making yoga practice inclusive and accessible to all 521 East 4th Street, Bethlehem 610.867.9642 | theyogaloftofbethlehem.com

Running and walking shoes and apparel 559 Main Street, Suite 122, Bethlehem 610.866.8300 | aardvarksportsshop.com

We know one thing for certain: the pandemic has changed us! If your perspectives, goals, and values have shifted and are driving you to contribute to the world in new ways— join us this fall for Yoga Teacher Training! Spread love, peace, and harmony in a world that needs it more than ever. BIPOC scholarships and payment plans available.

Program begins September 18th.

Our friendly, expert staff welcomes you to shop safely in our award-winning Historic Downtown run shop serving ALL runners and walkers. We provide personal attention to each customer, with a fitting process and foot measurement to find the right shoes, apparel, and accessories. Online shopping is also available with at-store and curbside pickup plus free shipping options.

LBL LOCAL BUSINESS LOVE

RISE ABOVE HAIR STUDIO

MISSION PLANT CO.

Unique cuts and colors for all 333 South New Street, Bethlehem 610.419.4262 | riseabovehair.com

Interior plantscapes add life to your workplace hello@missionplantco.com 610.653.3414 | missionplantco.com

Mission Plant Co. provides innovative indoor plant leasing with full maintenance services—including botanical design, installation services, and routine plant maintenance— for commercial settings both large and small. Get a free consultation and see how easy it is to enhance your space by bringing nature indoors!

Rise Above Hair Studio is a small shop on the South Side specializing in cuts and colors unique to you. Offering gender-neutral pricing and services is important to owner, Ashley Matlock. Ashley and teammate Josh use Pulp Riot Faction 8 semi & demi color as well as their full styling line (totally vegan and PPD free!), Unite, Olaplex, and Reuzel products. Stop by and check them out!

EMPOWER NUTRITION AND WELLNESS

VENTURE X

Find your road to a well-nourished life and live without limitation 100 Keystone Avenue, Emmaus 484.416.8576 | liveempowered365.com

World-class office space in Bethlehem 306 South New Street, Bethlehem 484.403.0077 | venturex.com

Empower Nutrition & Wellness offers personalized guidance to overcome self-limiting beliefs that distort views of reality in a world flooded with skewed images of health. Their comprehensive services help build selfawareness and self-confidence, implement self-care, maintain a genuine connection with food, and cultivate body trust. Be empowered to create space to fuel and nourish your physical and emotional health.

Located on Bethlehem’s South Side, Venture X provides meticulously designed office solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes. No long-term lease required.

Memberships are all-inclusive covering everything from space, technology, and utilities to gourmet coffee, daily cleaning, and professional staff. Contact us to set up a tour.

43 Photography by Alyssa Andrew Photography

Vintage-inspired made for you

M E TA L W O R X J E W E L R Y I S D E D I C AT E D to vintage inspired, upcycled, and hand-stamped jewelry that combines different colors and textures with unique materials—including vintage glass buttons, typewriter keys, and antique spoons, as in her “Flatwearable” line—to create art you can wear. The result? Unique and original pieces with an eclectic style and feel. “ Metal Worx was born out of a passion for designing distinctive keepsakes that tell the story of the past, present, and future.”

- A ndrea Bretz, Owner/Designer

218 Main Street, East Greenville

the

610.955.6587

metalworxjewelry.com

@metalworxjewelrydesignz

Right Realtors

®

T H E R E A L E S TAT E M A R K E T in the Lehigh Valley is RED HOT, so it's “non-negotiable” to have the right Realtors® in your corner. Whether you are buying or selling, you need an experienced team behind you that you not only trust, but also makes your life easier by creating a flawless experience.

Cue the Katie Ramos Team at Century 21 Ramos Realty—Katie Ramos, Jennifer Ramos, Margarita Knipe, and Jessica Williams. They are not your average Realtors®. They utilize modern marketing techniques for their business and leverage social media to create the most demand for their listings. Follow them on social media for new listings, real estate tips, and so much more!

Century 21 Ramos Realty 230 East 4th Street, Bethlehem Office: 610-866-4423 Cell: 484-241-6954 KatieRamosTeam.com @KatieRamosTeam

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@MyRealtorKatie

We are so proud of this community and the overwhelming support demonstrated over the past several months.”

Communities helping communities WIND CREEK BETHLEHEM HAS EXTENDED THE PROPERTY’S MOST RECENT C O M M U N I T Y R E L AT I O N S I N I T I AT I V E D I R E C T LY T O I T S G U E S T S .

While the initiative started less than a year ago in November 2020, guest support has been immense.

In a short time, voucher donations have totaled over $20,000.

A true embodiment of communities helping communities, Wind Creek Bethlehem guests can now donate unused gaming vouchers into collection boxes located throughout the property. Proceeds from the vouchers, collected twice a week, are donated to local recipients including the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and Victory House of Lehigh Valley.

“It’s no surprise that our guests have responded so well to this initiative,” said Kathy McCracken, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Wind Creek Bethlehem. “We are so proud of this community and the overwhelming support demonstrated over the past several months.”

77 Wind Creek Boulevard

877.726.3777

windcreekbethlehem.com

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Summer Fun on the SouthSide T H E S O U T H S I D E A R T S D I S T R I C T is Bethlehem’s home for art, entertainment, shopping and dining. From unique boutiques and fantastic restaurants to special events and public art, the SouthSide Arts District is truly the Art & Soul of Bethlehem.

F I R S T F R I DAY M AY– O C T O B E R

On the First Friday of every month Bethlehem’s SouthSide Arts District comes to life, celebrating art, culture, food, and music. Guests are invited to visit local art galleries, unique boutiques, salons, and shops, all while enjoying food and drink samples or specials from diverse restaurants. Each First Friday has a seasonal theme and a charity drive to help our neighbors in need.

A L L A M E R I C A N F I R S T F R I D AY | J U LY 2 D O G D AY S O F S U M M E R | A U G U S T 6 PO P U P A RT SWA LK | S E P TE M B E R 3 G R E E N W AY A R T S W A L K C E L E B R AT I O N | O C T O B E R 1

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324 South New Street, Bethlehem

610.419.9180

southsideartsdistrict.com

S U M M E R R E S TAU R A N T & R E TA I L W E E K J U LY 1 2 –1 8

Summer Restaurant Week kicks off with a twist! Not only will restaurants be offering special deals all week long, but SouthSide retailers will too. Indulge your taste buds and explore a variety of retailers from boutiques to specialty shops! Explore a world of cuisines and join the celebration of small businesses in the SouthSide! Stay tuned for participating restaurant week menus & retailer sales.

C H I LI F E S T SE PTEM B E R 18

S O U T H S I D E V E G E TA R I A N R E S TAU R A N T W E E K N O V E M B E R 5 –1 4

Entering its 26th year, Chili Fest welcomes over 20 competing local chilies to contend for the title of People’s Choice Best Chili and the Celebrity Judge’s Top Choice! Thousands of visitors come Downtown to enjoy chili, arts and crafts, live music, and Homebase Skateshop’s HOT PEPPER eating contest—where only the strong survive! Grab your passport, and head to the SouthSide for this Bethlehem tradition!

Calling all VegHeads! Your week of yum has arrived on the SouthSide! Join the first ever SouthSide Vegetarian Restaurant Week—filled with specialty vegetarian menus and more. Each evening, one restaurant will host a special event, including “Chopped” inspired food competitions, educational speakers, tastings, and special “Veg Week” menus. Indulge your taste buds and join us for this tasty week of delicious plant-based cuisines and programs!

G R E E N WAY FA M I LY FU N R U N O C T O B E R 17

Bring the whole fam for the first ever Greenway Family Fun Run—a noncompetitive Family Fun Run and Mini Festival on the South Bethlehem Greenway. Run or walk the 1.7 linear mile Greenway path, starting at the South Bethlehem Skatepark to the end of the Greenway at South New Street, where runners can enjoy a mini-festival celebrating all things health and wellness. All children will receive a medal for finishing the race!

WA NT TO S I G N U P O R LE A R N A BOUT TH E S E E V E NT S A N D M O R E? A R E YO U A N A R T I S T ? M U S I C I A N ? W A N T T O V O L U N T E E R ?

Call 610.419.9180 or learn more at southsideartsdistrict.com or on their Facebook page.

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the

Basics

Welcome to

Bloc Dispensary C A N N A B I S D I S P E N S A R I E S B U I LT A R O U N D COMMUNITY AND DOING GOOD Cannabis culture is all about wellness and becoming the best version of you. These are the founding principles of Justice Cannabis Co. Bloc is a team of cannabis enthusiasts looking to share their knowledge and experience. When you enter Bloc Dispensary, they want you to feel at home, and they pride themselves on creating an inviting atmosphere. Open seven days a week, their store is here for you when you need it.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA, or medical cannabis, refers to compounds of the cannabis plant—in particular, Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, more commonly known as THC and CBD—that are used to relieve serious and chronic symptoms.

CBD, OR CANNABIDIOL, is an anti-inflammatory compound and is considered the most useful active substance for medical marijuana use. Medical cannabis is used to help manage symptoms of a variety of illnesses and conditions, as a therapeutic treatment to manage chronic pain, and as part of cancer therapy. Contact your physician with questions or for more information.

Because customers are often dealing with serious life matters, Bloc provides more than just a transaction. Their team members are caring and want to help you find the path to feeling good.

They’re with you on your journey from the moment you step through their door.

The interior of the shop is bright, clean, and easy to navigate, with friendly and knowledgeable team members who are excited to get to know your needs. They are passionate about what they do and always eager to chat. They offer an incredibly smooth check-in and check-out process. With a cashless ATM option (coming soon), the store offers a secure, efficient, cash-free way to pay for product. And there's plenty of parking, making it quick and convenient when you are in a hurry.

Their selection is robust, with products from trusted brands like Standard Farms, Kind Tree, Farmaceutical RX, and more.

When browsing Bloc’s inventory, you will find a wide variety of flower, vaporizers, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, and edibles.

Whatever your preference, they have it at an everyday fair price, with frequent discounts and a loyalty rewards program. Bloc’s customer promise offers a return policy on defective products.

Bloc takes pride in everything they do because they’re obsessed with well-being and helping people feel good. That's why they started this company, and why they continue to work hard to serve your needs.

Three simple ways to shop 1

Order ahead online Quick and easy pickup.

We’re here for you.

Follow them on social #MeetUsAtTheBloc

2

Purchase in-store Easy-to-use, convenient self-service kiosks.

3

Order through our friendly Patient Care Associates Let us be your guide.

3650 Nazareth Pike

484.214.5400

blocdispensary.com

hello@blocdispensary.com

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There’s still no place like home THANKS TO RCN’S HIGH-SPEED I N T E R N E T S E R V I C E , backyards all over the Lehigh Valley are being turned into outdoor theaters. Family entertainment, powered by RCN.

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2124 Avenue C

800-RING-RCN

RCN.com

Finding purpose in

Volunteering JANE HUSTON AND E RNIE WE RSTLE R , GARDE N SPOT VILL AG E RESIDE NTS SINCE APRIL 2021, volunteer as trail maintainers with the Mid State Trail Association and Keystone Trails Association. Each spring and summer they spend a week maintaining a 7-mile stretch of trail in Union County.

They trim limbs, remove fallen trees, cut back overgrown bushes and paint blazes, keeping the trail open and in good repair.

Start your best story at gardenspotvillage.org.

433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland

717.355.6000

gardenspotvillage.org

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103 South Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602

presorted standard us postage paid fig industries 17604

Fig Industries is redefining success through social impact and environmental accountability to the communities we serve.

Please pass this Fig on or recycle it.