Volume 3, Number 1
SPRING 2017
West End Living
n
n
CIVIC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Civic Theatre unveils $5.5M renovation plans Civic Theatre kicked off its first-ever major capital campaign last November. “It’s been going swimmingly well,” said campaign chair and past-president Sharon Glassman. “Our goal is $5.5 million, and we have already raised nearly $4 million,” she added, noting that the funds represent a combination of a $2 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program -- requiring matching funds – as well as contributions from the Century Fund, the Butz Foundation, Service Electric Cable TV and Communications and other organizations. The campaign will finance an ambitious three-phase renovation of the theater, which is targeted for completion in 2020. Alvin H. Butz Construction will be construction manager. Phase one encompasses infrastructure improvements: a new ceiling in the theater
nual The 60th An ’s Parade . Patrick Allentown St ce on will take pla 30 pm ch 19th at 1: Sunday, Mar ration starts
But the celeb
invite you to ce
lebrate
well before
that!
with us!
’s. in the 1970 founding days mittee PresiCom six weeks us Our current , with less than e, a, has taken ughlin, groupthe March 1975 Parad dent, John Chay e, moving Francis McLa as until parade phas brother Joe, titry to put a into the next sey, Thom was to the beau decided to n Traditionry... J. Raymond Cram r Daddona first parade route the Mayo . The the ntow ran s her. town Alle toget An of Allen Egan and other the first and ings were held, turn of the centu ful West End gh Parade is by contacted, meet tions extended k’s Around the throu heart e Patric the two St. parad was least invita current st event in only, for at last minute the sixth ward hers. The net unity. Most best and bigge e in Alsixth wards e was marc the comm parad far and s the Irish e parad to band of the years. By 1958 go from 12th ged to the Im5-division parad t the history of the to result was a Irishmen belon eption church ImHamilton Stree large enough lentown. Streets to the came down n’s maculate Conc and Hamilton eption Church on that er, the first Presi ue. (Allentow its with Jerry Web ee – Vice Presion Ridge Aven Church, 1857) will celebrate 19, maculate Conc This parade ran olic The Parade ue. ue dent, Dick McG-Treasurer, and oldest Cath ry on March Ridge Aven when on Ridge Aven 60th Anniversa from the Allenexcept 1974 dent, Jim Nolfa se-Secretary. In addition, s Temyear rting Men’ of g every s depa nhou Youn rand the death itself 2017 Orpha Ocke there was a ds at 1:30 pm. a fuel crisis ittee called ittee ty and the Hibe town Fairgroun active comm This new comm Day Parade perance Socie Club some of the pany Social Patrick’s the dissolution or to parto “St. n ged time, led the nia Fire Com matio belon bers same hay mem At the Irishmen For more infor ittee. In their ve Committee”. where many 2017 Allentown. of this comm ittee ran suppleities. We belie sixth ward old- on ticipate in the www the first and for social activ s had events Parade go to days this comm in the Morning . Harugari Hall a group St. Patrick’s Day. timers at the all of these ng ricksparade.com ments in green a large banquet d St. Patrick’s t were holdi allentownstpat d was Gordon Stree on and aroun a certain Call and hoste Hall to honor is said that ball. The ball al the St. Patrick’s However, it over by the at Agricultur ulty stood atop t the Irish. taken ed McN ately ey salut ultim Barn moved citizens who view Apartmen mittee and Parade Com Fire Company in five story Belle and Gordon ess nt to the Fearl house on Ridge his bugle every ball, or sixth 1975 to Prese In 2013 the blew of first and evithe 1980’s. Streets and as it is banA small group Celebration Day. No other attending a Coronation St. Patrick’s rations back ward citizens, town Italian of the celeb was moved Allen now called, dence exists al Hall. quet at the ago. at Agricultur ssing remorse to its home of 100 years Club were expre the 1974 goes on with ittee that comm The al members to each other Among of the origin cancelled. many 1955 to 1974 mostly first and g the was e Span parad Jim of Jerry Weber, still belonging. A committee group were and politiback to the this ess Sue goes , busin dent Nolfa Jim past Presi sixth ward Patrick’s Dick McGee, Spang. The formed a St. Men Jim cal leaders raising Flood, and e Society. am. The flag Day Observanc ugh, his town town at 11:45 , McH greater Allen Plaza Allen such as John rtown and the d at City Hall and the Hono and grow Allen d will be raise Raising mittee, Inc. blic of Irelan helped to form ntown Flag Allentown. Parade Com heritage who ilton Street, St. Patrick’s City of Alle h 17, 2017 the flag of the Repu Irish Ham of town 435 at those Allen Marc is located ibutions of dent of the On Friday, ate the contr by John A. Chaya, Presi sion. City Hall emor occa the comm remarks will mark event is to salute and brief r of the City of Allentown area. A pipe Mayo Pawlowski, able Edwin
We
IN THIS ISSUE 1 Civic Theatre 2 Focus on the Arts 8 New to the Neighborhood 9 Established Business
Renovations to the Civic Theatre, located at 527 North 19th Street, include a new lounge, box office, ceiling and seats. The original frescoes in the auditorium will also be preserved and restored. Inside:
Your guide to St. Patrick’s festivities in the West End Theatre District. Special 8-page pull out section! 10 Irish Recipes 12 WEA News 13 St. Patrick’s Section 21 Ron’s Ramblings 22 Students of Note 23 Resident News
proper, new seats and renovation of the stage and auditorium walls including preservation or restoration of the original frescoes. Phase two will result in an allnew lounge for patrons. “Our members seem really excited about that,” Glassman said. “It will let them enjoy a beverage or snack before, during and after performances.” Other scheduled improvements include a new box office, and various backstage renovations. Finally, phase three will adapt the costume shop and other underused spaces on the building’s second floor for additional functions, such as rehearsal areas and the children’s theater school. Glassman added that contributions of all amounts are welcome. “We are a grassroots organization, and many of our donations come from parents, members and other people of modest means. Remember – the Civic is your theater, your cultural home.” n For more information on the capital campaign – including naming opportunities, a pledge form and a 10-minute video, -visit http://www.civictheatre.com/ nextact/ or contact managing director John Hughes at 610-433-8903 ext 206, or john@civictheatre.com.
24 Car Seat Inspection 25 Tree Planting 26 Sense of Community 28 Pub Crawl Goodies 30 Where is it? 30 Important Numbers SPRING 2017 WEST
END LIVING 1