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www.westendallentown.com
Volume 6, Number 1
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SHOP LOCAL
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Longtime Jewelry Seller, Becomes a Jewelry Designer
beauty in random things, even where they’re old or rusty. I suddenly realized I could make jewelry based on the hands’ designs,” she said. Linski points out that her jewelry line doesn’t “upcycle” cast-off
materials or precisely duplicate the hands’ looks. Instead, the pieces reflect certain elements of them. “When you look at a Bella Mani piece, you won’t immediately say ‘That’s a clock hand.’ But if I then showed you the hand, you’d make
ALL PHOTOS SUSAN BELLA JEWELRY
Susan Bella Linski, owner of Susan Bella Jewelry on 19th Street, launched her first-ever branded jewelry line last November. The Bella Mani® (Italian for “beautiful hands”) line was inspired by her collection of antiquarian clock hands, those you might find on old grandfather clocks or European clock towers. “My husband Dan and I travel quite a bit,” she said, “and we’re always looking for different, interesting things. We’re also fascinated by the inner workings of watches and other timepieces. Linski continued: “On one of our trips, we entered an antiques store, and someone had pushpinned eighteenth and nineteenthcentury clock hands to the wall. Even though many were in poor condition, they intrigued me.” “That’s something I’ve done all my life, even as a kid—finding
IN THIS ISSUE 1 Shop Local 3 About Town, Bike Share 4 Focus on the Arts 6 Ron’s Ramblings 7 News to Bank On
7 St. Pat’s 5k Sign Up 8 Health News 9-16 St. Patrick’s Day Info 17 Students of Note 18 Representative News 19 Our Perfect Day
the connection,” she said. Linski said she’s thought about creating her own lines before, “but I’d always get preoccupied with day-to-day business and didn’t follow through. This time, though, we both felt strongly about it, and it became something we could put our hearts into.” The three current collections— Florence, Pienza, and Venice—are named for cities in Italy she’s visited, and each is based upon a single clock hand. “I browse through my collection of hands until I find one that inspires me, and then I sit down with my sketch pad and just let the ideas flow,” Linski said. She then turns her sketched designs over to
20 School News 21 New to the Neighborhood 21 On the Job 22 In the Neighborhood 23 World of Food SPRING 2020 WEST
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SHOP LOCAL
Wow! Who Did Your Framing?
We can advise you on all aspects of framing. Expertise you can rely on ─ stop by and see us. Kathy Harris Custom Framing Shoppe Where framing is an art.
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(484) 705-1642
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trusted local artisans for pieceby-piece production. Tim Reilly carves and casts them by hand at his facility in Reading, and master goldsmith Phil Gernerd (who had a 30-year career with Vogt’s jewelers) handles the finishing work: sanding, buffing, and component assembly. “A lot of love goes into every piece,” Linski said. Because clock hands are essentially straight and flat, you might think the Bella Mani collections are limited to pendants. But there are other more dimensional pieces as well, including earrings, necklaces, and finger rings. The majority are made from sterling silver and 14-karat yellow gold, “although we have fulfilled some custom orders using 14k white gold,” she added. Linski said that jewelry can be an expression of how you feel on a given day, and the Bella Mani line can accommodate many moods. “Some of the pieces have beautiful flowing lines, while others have an edgier look. We wanted to accommodate every personality and style,” she said. Bella Mani appeals to a range of budgets, too. “Mini Manis” (scaled-down versions of larger pieces) are $55 each in sterling silver; 14K yellow gold earrings from the Florence collection cost $1,365. Currently, Bella Mani jewelry is available only at her brick-and-mortar store, “but we’re working toward establishing an e-commerce site,” she said. You can also visit “Bella Mani by Susan Bella” on Facebook to stay aware of the latest developments. n Susan Bella Jewelry, LLC 1746 W. Allen St. Allentown, PA 18104 610-434-8001 susanbellajewelry.com info@susanbellajewelry.com Hours: Tues., Wed., Fri.: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thurs.: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sat.: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thank You to our West End Alliance Cornerstone Partners
WEA Cornerstone Partners commit to a year-long investment in our neighborhood and WEA activities. We are grateful for their support. For more information on becoming a Cornerstone Partner, contact Michael Drabenstott at (610) 417-0503.
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West End Alliance, Inc.
PO Box 173, Allentown, PA 18105 www.westendallentown.com PUBLICATION STAFF Editors — Paul & Meghan Kita Writer — Frederick Jerant Copy Editing —Sara Muir Designer — Publication Design, Inc. Photographers — Jane Geist — Hub Willson Editorial Consultant Michael Drabenstott ••• ADVERTISING Neighborhood Coordinator Ann Biernat-Rucker For advertising information, contact Ann at 610-703-8004 annbiernatrucker@gmail.com ••• West End Living is published quarterly by the West End Alliance, Inc. to promote the West End Theatre District. West End Alliance, Inc. PO Box 173, Allentown, PA 18105
••• EDITORIAL Editorial suggestions or comments? Contact us at
westendlivingmagazine@gmail.com ••• Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or artwork. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from publisher. Printed in U.S.A.
ABOUT TOWN
Don’t have room in your cluttered garage for a bicycle? Want to cut back on how much you drive? Want to sneak a workout while you run errands? Well, now you can rent a bike through a service started by Muhlenberg College and the Allentown Parking Authority (APA). The Allentown Bike Share program began about a year ago, and offers Muhlenberg students and neighborhood residents a lowcost way to explore the city, run errands, or just enjoy a relaxing ride around Allentown. It’s a simple but effective arrangement, according to John N. Morgan, executive director of the APA. There’s a bike-share station on Chew Street, between Trexler Library and the Baker Center for the Arts, and another at the Parking Authority itself at Sixth and Linden Streets. A free app lets you lock or unlock bikes at these stations, and records the duration of your use. While other bike-sharing programs require a rider to park the bike for every stop, these Zagster cruisers have on-board locks enabling riders to secure
PHOTOS BY JANE GEIST PHOTOGRAPHY
No Bike? No Problem! Allentown Now Has You Covered.
their wheels just about anywhere. “Annual membership is just $25,” Morgan said. Muhlenberg students, faculty, and staff pay just $15. Bike trips under two hours are free; overtime fees are just $1 per 30-minute increment. You can also skip the membership fee, but you’ll pay $1 for every 30 minutes of use. Register for the program, get the app, or just learn more about it by visiting: bike.zagster. com/allentown/. n
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TVs
ALL OF THE MAJOR SPORTS PACKAGES
Relax on the Heated Patio! Hours: Monday - Sunday noon to 2 am At our West End location you can relax outside and watch your favorite games on our patio. Inside, play classic tavern games (pool, darts and skill games). Enjoy all your favorite beers on tap with over 15 draft beers to choose from (domestics, imports and seasonal crafts). We also have over 100 different brands and packages of cold beer to go. PA lottery is available and you can play Keno. Non-smoking, family-friendly.
FULL BAR MENU SERVED 1926 W. Tilghman Street Allentown 610.435.0311
www.volpessportsbar.com SPRING 2020
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FOCUS ON THE ARTS
As the weather begins to warm (hopefully), here’s a list of the activities happening around Allentown’s West End that’ll help you break out of hibernation. n Exhibition on
At the Civic Theatre n Silence! The Musical The hilarious parody, based on the Academy award winning film, that shattered every box office record at the Fringe NYC festival. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES March 13 to 15, 19 to 21 (special midnight show March 21) n Disney’s Frozen Jr. The musical story of true love and acceptance between sisters expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. April 2 to 5 n Spamalot Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and showstopping musical numbers are all part of the classic madness. May 1, 2, 7 to 10, 14 to17
Screen Easter in Art
The story of Christ’s death and resurrection depicted by the greatest artists in history. April 9 and 14
n Significant Other This play follows Jordan Berman and his three closest girlfriends as they navigate love, friendship and New York in their twentysomething years. June 19 to 21, 25 to 28 n Exhibition on Screen Lucian Freud: A Self Portrait
More than 50 paintings, prints, and drawings in which a modern master of British art turns his unflinching eye firmly on himself. March 8 and 26
INT RO DUC I N G !
www.jayslocal.com 4 WEST END LIVING
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n Stagemakers Youth Theater’s
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.
March 12 at 7:00 p.m.., March 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
n Life of the Mind Through March 15, in the Galleria n Anthony Cervino:
Mosaics Camp
My Sons (encore showing)
America, 1947. Despite hard choices and even harder knocks, Joe and Kate Keller are a success story. They have built a home, raised two sons and established a thriving business. But nothing lasts forever. April 6
At the Muhlenberg Gallery
Mar. 10 to Apr. 11, in the Martin Art Gallery Artist Talk: Mar. 17 in the Recital Hall Public Reception: Mar. 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2301 W. Liberty St. Allentown
At the Jewish Community Center
n Stagemakers Youth Theater Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie Auditions: March 2 or March 3, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Choose one of the two days to attend) Call backs: March 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parent meeting: March 5, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Show dates: May 7 at 7:00 p.m.; May 10 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Ages: 2nd through 12th Grade Participation Fee: $128; JCC MVP: $85 (Only required upon acceptance of a role) For more information, contact Brenda Finberg at (610) 435-3571 ext. 183 or bfinberg@lvjcc.org. Audition materials and ticket information can be found online at lvjcc.org/Stagemakers.
n National Theatre Live: All
Hurry with the Furies
"Your new neighborhood eatery"
n 2020 Thesis Exhibition April 29 to May 16, in the Martin Art Gallery Opening Reception: April 29, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
n The Autonomist Anomaly, Curated by Felice Moramarco Adam Diller: Project 02
March 25 to May 25, in the Galleria Public Reception: March 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Walk through discussion with the curator March 25, 6:00 p.m. Companion talk: March 30 and 31, 7:00 p.m. in the Recital Hall
June 15 to June 19, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price: $349; members, $319 Ages: K to 6th grade
Theater Camp: n Frozen Jr.
June 22 to July 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price: $299/week; members, $369/week (requires a threeweek commitment) Ages: K to 6th Grade For more information, contact Kristen Johnson at (610) 435-3571 or kjohnson@lvjcc.org. To register, lvjcc.org.
n An Intimate Evening with Dr. Ruth Westheimer
April 23, TIME TK Pricing: front center orchestra: reserved for sponsors; front side orchestra: $72; mid-orchestra: $54; rear orchestra: $36, tickets will be available at “will call” Ages: 18+ For more information, contact
At the Pines Dinner Theatre n Nunsensations March 20 to May 10
Beth Zaleon at (610) 435-3571 or bzaleon@lvjcc.org. To register, visit lvjcc.org/drruth.
Film n Ask Dr. Ruth film screening
April 19 Price: $8; members: $5. Free for JFN Sponsors Ages: 18+
n Red Hot & Country May 22 to June 21 Schedule (both shows): Wed., Thurs. and Sun.: 12:30 p.m. dinner and 2 p.m. show Fri., Sat.: 6:30 p.m. dinner and 8 p.m. show For more information: Pines Dinner Theater 448 N. 17th St., Allentown (610) 433-2333 pinesdinnertheatre.com/
n 24th Annual Jewish & Israeli Film Series Live and Become March 24, 7:00 p.m. Hebrew and French with English subtitles For more information, contact Dan Poresky at (610) 434-1396 or dporesky@yahoo.com.
At Jay’s Local Great Pennsylvania n Open mic nights on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Music & Arts 2301 Liberty St, Allentown, jayslocal.com Celebration May 23 to 25 At the Allentown Fairgrounds At Hava Java pamusicsociety.org/
n Open mic: Fridays, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. n Poetry: Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. n Open jam: First Sunday of the month, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 526 N. 19th St, Allentown, (610) 432-3045
At Greenhouse Enoteca 2114 W. Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18104 (610) 707-1152 Call for more information, details were not available at press time.
pamusicpreserve@gmail.com
Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2020
May 22: 4:00 p.m. to10:00 p.m. May 23 and 24: Noon to10:00 p.m. On the Cedar Crest College campus cedarcrest.edu/mayfair/ n
Who are you? What do you stand for? Why do you matter? Before anyone will buy your product, retain your service or contribute to your cause, they want answers. We can help.
Marketing and public relations counsel
(610) 417-0503
drabenstottcommunications.com
Proud to live and work in Allentown’s West End. SPRING 2020
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RON’S RAMBLINGS
The Quack-tacular History of the Duck Farm Hotel Throughout its past, Allentown has been known as a city of grand hotels. There was the Eagle Hotel, the Hotel Allen, the American (later Americus) Hotel, the Hotel Hamilton and many others. However, in terms of service or amenities, nothing major differentiated one of these hotels from the next. But then there was the Duck Farm Hotel. The oddly (though accurately) named hotel was located in an Allentown suburb formerly known as Griesemersville, now part of the West End. Abraham Griesemer founded Griesemersville in 1806 on 600 acres of land that he had acquired with his grandfather, Valentin, and his father John, between 1738 and 1789. Today, the Allentown Fairgrounds, William Allen
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High School, Lehigh Valley Hospital’s 17th Street facility, Greenwood Cemetery, and the Joseph S. Daddona Lake and Terrace (formerly Union Terrace) now occupy what was once Griesemersville. An area known as Griesemer’s Woods was a popular picnic site
IMAGES: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 1910-1912
By Ron Epstein
because of its relaxed and serene atmosphere. But the centerpiece of Griesemersville was the Griesemer Hotel and Duck Farm, located at what is now 20th and Walnut Streets. Abraham built the hotel (small enough to be considered a motel by today’s standards) in 1806. His son and grandson, both named Solomon, succeeded him in operating it. In 1887, the younger Solomon’s son Albert took over and founded the duck farm in 1894. Albert began with 1,000 ducks, which he raised and fattened for market; the venture was such a success that the duck “crop” eventually increased to 18,000 birds. Every night at the hotel, the guests would dine upon a fresh duck dinner. One of its many notable guests was the 1911 to 1919 Speaker of the House of Representatives James Beauchamp “Champ” Clark. There were several other buildings on the hotel’s property, including a number of holding pens. Other attractions featured pigeon shoots and fishing, which pulled in a number of hunting and fishing clubs from Philadelphia and New York City. By the twentieth century, the Allentown and Reading Traction Company’s interurban trolley line ran at 20th and Walnut across the Reading Road bridge over Cedar Creek, one of the oldest bridges in the Valley, built in 1814. A large white pavilion, annexed to the hotel, was a trolley stopping point. In June 1911, General Harry Clay
Trexler bought the entire facility and closed the by-then-unprofitable duck farm operation. He later donated some of the land to the City of Allentown to become Union Terrace Park. Although they no longer owned the land, the Griesemer family still held the hotel and continued to operate it until it closed in 1932—a victim of the Great Depression. They then turned the building into apartments. The family sold the building in 1963, and the property passed through several other owners until it was eventually torn down in 2010. Today, the former duck farm is part of an innovative learning course being taught at Muhlenberg College entitled “Human Impacts on Local Ecology.” Taught by Ben Carter, associate professor of anthropology, and Kim Heiman, senior lecturer of biology, the course involves taking students to different sites within walking distance from the college, including the duck farm. The goal of the class is to demonstrate how the modern ecological system is affected by the activities of the past. Last year one such student, Jodie Goldberg (class of 2023), began researching duck feces at the farm. Because a person could get salmonella or avian flu just by coming into contact with the excrement, she is trying to discover if the long-ago owners had the resources to clean up that much of it. And you can imagine what was left behind by multiple batches of thousands of ducks! n
DEADLINE APPROACHING
QNB Bank Manager Preps for Neighborhood Business, St. Pat’s Parade
Hurry Up and Run to Register for the St. Pat’s 5k!
Lori Knerr, Senior Vice President at QNB Bank, is also manager of the bank’s 19th and Allen Streets facility. Although she’s been with QNB only since last July, “I feel like I’ve worked here forever,” she said. “QNB really is a community bank and I feel very much at-home here.” Prior to joining QNB, Lori served as Financial Services Manager for Univest; Branch Manager for Visions Federal Credit Union and Unity Bank; Compliance Officer/Vice President at Team Capital Bank; and in other positions. She’s also a Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist and Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer. At QNB, Lori is in charge of the 19th Street office, but is also responsible for business development. “I often go out on business calls,” she said, “meeting with prospects and clients at their own companies. That oneon-one contact is important to relationship-building, because we are proactive with our clients. We earn their trust and then keep it by always looking out for them and being available for assistance. They know they can bring a question or
situation to me and then go back to running their businesses—because they know I’ll take care of it.” Offering personalized, local attention may be a grassroots approach to banking, but it sets QNB apart from its larger competitors. “We want to be good partners with the communities we serve,” she said. Her community service includes serving as treasurer of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County; secretary of the Bethlehem Rotary Club; an ArtsQuest Ambassador; and a board member of BEST, Inc., which helps needy students obtain financial assistance for college. In addition, she is a fundraising coordinator for BattleBorne, a Lehigh Valley-based non-profit that provides support and guidance to veterans who have emotional and psychological wounds. “As the daughter of a vet and the mother of two service members, this is an important cause for me,” she said. “Service is a running theme in my family.” Lori is also preparing for her firstever Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “Just as we did last year, QNB will be a division sponsor, as well as participating in the parade. The QNB van will be out and about a dozen branch employees—including me—will be handing out candy along the parade route,” she said. “We might have some other fun activity outside the office,” she added, “but we’re keeping things under wraps for now.” n
EUNIECE SANTIAGO PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS TO BANK ON
There’s still time to sign up for the 12th Annual Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade 5K. Up to 1,000 runners will start at Muhlenberg College’s Memorial Hall on Liberty Street between 23rd and 24th Streets and follow a flat (and fast!) course, closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, through the West End Theatre District. Bring the family to watch you run, and then enjoy an Allentown tradition with music, fun, and pageantry. Registration deadline is 6:00 p.m. on March 15, and the entry fee is $36 per person. Race date: Sunday, March 22. For details and on-line registration, visit westendstpats5k.com. n
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HEALTH NEWS
Elusive Sleep Restored After Weight Loss Surgery When Michelle Stoneback, 48, of Roseto, reflects on how her life has changed since her bariatric surgery, she is certainly grateful for her 285 lb. weight loss, but she’s also thankful for much more. Because of her bariatric surgery, she is finally able to get a good night’s sleep, the lack of which was impacting almost every facet of her life. Like many other bariatric patients, Michelle had a lifelong struggle with her weight. And yet, throughout much of her adult life, she didn’t really comprehend how bad it had gotten. When she reached 540 lbs., her obstructive sleep apnea was at its worst. It wasn’t until she was hospitalized with cellulitis, a serious infection, that her weight problem really hit home. When a doctor came to her room to check on her and interview her about her health history, she checked off pretty much every box they would inquired about. Family history of diabetes? Check. Heart disease? Check. High cholesterol? Check. Sleep Apnea? Check. A family member death before the age of 60? Check.
Timothy Zaveri Fine jewelers We have the
Lowest prices On gia diamonds 532 n 19th street allentown pa 18104 610.435.2470 8 WEST END LIVING
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Michelle Stoneback before (above) and after surgery (right).
A few weeks later, she sat in the office at St. Luke’s Weight Management Center with Maher El Chaar, MD and his team. Michelle was indeed a candidate for gastric bypass, so there was nothing holding her back. “Not once did I have a reservation about going forward with surgery after I met with the St. Luke’s team,” says Michelle. “I was full steam ahead.” The Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass surgery was a success and almost immediately, some of Michelle’s comorbidities disappeared. Sleep apnea was a thing of the past, and a few months later, she was completely off her blood pressure medication. “I never realized how much my weight affected my day-to-day life and my overall personality until it was gone—I’m so much happier. Being able to sleep well, move throughout the day and yes, even fit in chairs are things I will never take for granted again.” n
The 63rd Annual Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade will take place on
Sunday, March 22nd at 1:30 pm But the celebration starts well before that!
We
invite you to celebrate with us!
An Allentown Tradition...
Around the turn of the century the sixth ward was the heart of the Irish community. Most Irishmen belonged to the Immaculate Conception church on Ridge Avenue. (Allentown’s oldest Catholic Church, 1857) In addition, on Ridge Avenue there was a Young Men’s Temperance Society and the Hibernia Fire Company Social Club where many Irishmen belonged for social activities. We believe all of these groups had events on and around St. Patrick’s Day. However, it is said that a certain Barney McNulty stood atop the five story Belleview Apartment house on Ridge and Gordon Streets and blew his bugle every St. Patrick’s Day. No other evidence exists of the celebrations of 100 years ago. 1955 to 1974 A committee of mostly first and sixth ward business and political leaders formed a St. Patrick’s Day Observance Society. Men such as John McHugh, his
brother Joe, Francis McLaughlin, J. Raymond Cramsey, Thomas Egan and others ran the first parade through the first and sixth wards only, for at least two years. By 1958 the parade was large enough to go from 12th and Hamilton Streets to the Immaculate Conception Church on Ridge Avenue. This parade ran every year except 1974 when a fuel crisis and the deaths of some of the active committee members led to the dissolution of this committee. In their hay days this committee ran supplements in green in the Morning Call and hosted a large banquet at Agricultural Hall to honor citizens who saluted the Irish. 1975 to Present A small group of first and sixth ward citizens, attending a banquet at the Allentown Italian Club were expressing remorse to each other that the 1974 parade was cancelled. Among this group were Jerry Weber, Dick McGee, Jim Nolfa, Sue Flood, and Jim Spang. The
group, with less than six weeks until the March 1975 Parade, decided to try to put a parade together. Mayor Daddona was contacted, meetings were held, last minute invitations extended to bands and marchers. The net result was a 5-division parade that came down Hamilton Street with Jerry Weber, the first President, Dick McGee – Vice President, Jim Nolfa-Treasurer, and Orpha Ockenhouse-Secretary. This new committee called itself the “St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee”. At the same time, the first and sixth ward oldtimers at the Harugari Hall on Gordon Street were holding a St. Patrick’s ball. The ball was ultimately taken over by the Parade Committee and moved to the Fearless Fire Company in the 1980’s. In 2013 the ball, or Coronation Celebration as it is now called, was moved back to its home at Agricultural Hall. The committee goes on with many of the original members still belonging. Jim Spang the past President goes back to the
founding days in the 1970’s. Our current Committee President, John Chaya, has taken us into the next phase, moving the parade route to the beautiful West End of Allentown. The current St. Patrick’s Parade is by far the best and biggest event in the history of the parade in Allentown. The Parade will celebrate its 63rd Anniversary on March 22, 2020 departing from the Allentown Fairgrounds at 1:30 pm. For more information or to participate in the 2020 Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade go to www. allentownstpatricksparade.com.
City of Allentown Flag Raising On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the flag of the Republic of Ireland will be raised at City Hall Plaza, Allentown at 11:45 am. The flag raising event is to commemorate the contributions of those of Irish heritage who helped to form and grow Allentown and the greater Allentown area. A pipe salute and brief remarks by John A. Chaya, Co-President of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, Inc. and the Honorable Ray O’Connell, Mayor of the City of Allentown will mark the occasion. City Hall is located at 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown.
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Schedule of Events West End Pub Crawl
Saturday, March 14
5:00pm
Sponsoring West End Pubs
Flag Raising
Tuesday, March 17
11:45am
Allentown City Hall 435 Hamilton Street
Coronation Celebration
Friday, March 20
7:30pm -11:00pm
Ag Hall, AgriPlex Annex Allentown Fairgrounds
(Doors open at 7:00 )
Irish Community Day
Saturday, March 21
Noon - 4:00pm
Ag Hall, AgriPlex Annex Allentown Fairgrounds
St. Patrick’s Parade Mass
Sunday, March 22
9:15am
Immaculate Conception Church, 501 Ridge Avenue
West End St. Pat’s 5K
Sunday, March 22
12:15pm sharp
Memorial Hall, Muhlenberg College, 2300 block, Liberty Street
Grand Massed Pipe Band Exhibition
Sunday, March 22
1:00pm
500 block of N. 19th Street
St. Patrick’s Parade
Sunday, March 22
1:30pm
Beginning at the Fairgrounds
For event information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.allentownstpatricksparade.com
The Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, Inc. Proudly Announces...
the registration of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Tartan on the Scottish Register of Tartans. Designed by 2010 Queen Wendy Ferguson with the assistance of the committee and with special thanks to the staff of USA Kilts, the tartan made its debut at the 2019 St. Patrick’s Parade Events. Tartan items are now available to order! The colors include; Green to represent Ireland and celebrate Allentown’s Irish heritage, as well as Central Catholic High School in Allentown. Blue to represent Dierfuff High School in Allentown. Yellow represents loyalty, and William Allen High School in Allentown. Red pays tribute to Hamilton Street, considered the heart of the city and the route the parade took for many decades. White represents purity, Black represents grief and remembrance of loved ones. Red, white & blue were also chosen to represent the American flag. 10 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2016 10 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2020
The West End Pub Crawl
Join us for a night out! Pub Crawl! 1926 1839
Supervised Cross‐Walks
613
2027
TILGHMAN ST.
17TH ST.
18TH ST.
ALLEN ST.
19TH ST.
1840
20TH ST.
Assembly at each sponsoring pub and starts at 4:30 pm. The pub crawl begins promptly at 5:00 pm. T-Shirts to benefit the parade are $15.
22ND ST.
LIBERTY ST. 2246
2105
1801
448
The Parade Pub Crawl will celebrate it’s 12th Anniversary in 2020! Initiated in 2008, this year’s crawl will take place on Saturday, March 14 throughout the West End of Allentown. Proceeds from the Pub Crawl benefit the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade to pay for marching units and bands. There are eight sponsoring pubs; Jack Callaghan’s Ale House, The Tavern on Liberty Street, Ringer’s Roost Tavern & Restaurant, Volpe’s Sports Bar, The Shanty on 19th,
Fairgrounds Hotel, Sleepy Cat Urban Winery and Greg’s West End Saloon.
23RD ST.
Fun in the West End...
Official 2020 St. Patrick’s Parade T-shirts! Only $15 Distinctive Gold Lettering!
For the latest on all events, check out our WEBSITE... http://allentownstpatricksparade.com SPRING 2016 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2020 WEST END LIVING
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The Coronation Celebration
You are cordially invited! An exciting evening to start off the weekend’s festivities...
Barri and Lisa (Ward) Arnold will be crowned the 2020 King and Queen of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade at the Coronation Celebration to be held March 20 at the Agricultural
Hall Annex at the Allentown Fairgrounds. The Coronation Celebration begins at 7:30 pm and the Coronation takes place at 8:30 pm. (Doors open at 7:00pm.) Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and include a copy of the 2020 St. Patrick’s Parade Program Book, complimentary beer, soda, and a door prize ticket. The event is BYOB. There is no cost for anyone under 21. The Allentown Fairgrounds/Agricultural Hall Annex is located at 19th and Liberty Streets, Allentown, PA 18104. For tickets to the Coronation Celebration email stpatstickets@ aol.com or go to www.allentownstpatricksparade.com.
Entertainment will Entertainment will include: •Chinese Auction and Door Prizes •Walk the “Green Carpet” and get your photo taken •Performance by The O’Grady Quinlan Irish Dancers •The Mackay Pipe Band serenades the King & Queen •The Official Coronation of the 2020 King & Queen •Recognition of all Past Kings & Queens •Vendors including Eight Oaks Distillery •DJ playing music to dance the night away!
Join Us!
Kick off a weekend of Irish fun at the annual Coronation Celebration! Present this coupon to receive $5 off the price of admission at the door (Regularly $20)!
For the latest on all events, check out our WEBSITE... http://allentownstpatricksparade.com 12 WEST 2016 12 WESTEND ENDLIVING LIVINGSPRING SPRING 2020
Congratulations to 2020 St. Patrick’s Parade King & Queen Barri & Lisa Arnold! Meet the Arnolds!
Barri and Lisa are honored to have been selected as King and Queen of the 2020 Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, following in the footsteps of Lisa’s parents, 2012 King & Queen Ed & Mary Ward. A graduate of Liberty High School, Barri is a first responder dedicated to his community. He became an EMT in 1993, entered the volunteer fire service in 1995, and later served as a combat medic in the U.S. Army Reserves. He volunteered as a rescue worker following the 9/11 tragedy, as well as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Barri has been a Paramedic with the City of Bethlehem for 18 years. A graduate of Moravian Academy and Rochester Institute of Technology, Lisa has worked as a freelance photographer and graphic designer for over 20 years. She applies those talents as a valued member of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, designing the program book, advertising materials, and photographing all of the events. Attending high schools in the same town and having friends in common, it’s a wonder that Barri and Lisa did not meet until a decade after graduation, when Lisa relocated back to the Lehigh Valley from Rochester. Married in 2008, Barri and Lisa are true Allentownians, making their home in the West End, just one block off of the parade route! Lisa also works a few days a
week at BoutiqueToGo on 19th Street. When not at work, the pair loves to travel, or relax at home with their dog, Ronin. Lisa’s Irish roots reach back to County Donegal through the Ward and Connelly families. Barri has Welsh roots, though his family resided in Ireland for two generations. Both Barri and Lisa loved exploring their heritage on their first trip to the British Isles in 2013, and look forward to visiting again soon! They also enjoy celebrating their Celtic heritage with their “Parade Family,” as the committee has become such a warm and welcoming group of friends over the years. They are thrilled to represent the Irish community on such a special day.
Passing on a tradition.... The honor of being King and Queen of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade is held close to the hearts of those who have been chosen to represent the Irish Heritage of the greater Lehigh Valley. Each Queen proudly wears the silver crown pin emblematic of their reign as queen of the Irish community for the year. At each coronation, past Kings and Queens are recognized in a special way during the crowning ceremony. They are introduced individually and form a semicircle around the thrones where the incoming royal couple will be crowned by the couple completing their reign. The semi-circle signifies the bond among the former Kings and Queens, and
provides a message of support and love for the newly crowned couple. All former Kings and Queens are mentioned in the Parade Sponsor Book by their year of reign, and featured in a gallery of coronation photos for all the modern day couples on the official parade website.
year, and they are provided a spectacular dance routine by the O’Grady-Quinlan Academy of Irish Dancers. Following that they move to the dance floor for their first dance as King and Queen, and then joined by all the other former Kings and Queens. Special Thanks To
The incoming King and Queen are presented with flowers as a tribute to their royalty for the SPRING 2016 WESTEND ENDLIVING LIVING SPRING 2020 WEST
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Community Day FREE.....The whole family is welcome! Learning and laughter...
The 7th Annual Irish Cultural Community Day will be held Saturday, March 21, 2020 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Agricultural Hall Annex at the Allentown Fairgrounds. The Community Day is presented by the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, Inc. and is sponsored by the West End Alliance as a contribution to the community to highlight the Irish culture in dance, song, art, and music. The Community Day is a family friendly, free event and features demonstrations in Irish dance, hurling, Celtic games, art, bagpipe, and fiddle. Upon entering, each child will be given a Passport which will guide them on their journey through the various areas of the
event. Stations will be set up for the children to answer questions and learn something unique about Irish Culture. Each station (art, history, crafts, sports, health, etc.) will “stamp” their passport, and when the children
complete their “journey” they can enter their name into the drawing for some really great prizes (first prize is a $100.00 gift card from GIANT, 2 $50.00 gift cards donated by RCN and many other prizes). Everything at Community Day is free (admission, soda, snacks, flags, face paint and fun). And for the adults there will be three Irish Themed Vendors (general merchandise, jewelry and pottery) to shop at with something for everyone. Featured this year will be an expanded Highland Games Competition for kids sponsored by American Bank and Jaindl Enterprises! Participants in the West End 5K race can pick up their race bags and numbers in the Ag Hall vestibule and then come in to join the Community Day!
Sponsored in part by:
Prizes for BEST FLOAT in the 2020 PARADE!
Over $1,200 in Cash Prizes will be awarded to floats in two categories: Businesses, and School/Family/Non-Profit. Winners will be announced during the parade! There will also be a prize awarded for Best Costume! Missed your chance to enter this year? Registration for the 2021 Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade will open in October of 2020! Visit http://allentownstpatricksparade.com to fill out your official registration form, and join in the fun! 14 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2016 14 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2020
Activities will include... •Face Painting •Hurling Demonstration by the Allentown Hurling Club •Highland Games including the ”Caber “ Toss •Performance by The O’Grady Quinlan Irish Dancers •Bagpipe Demonstration •Painting with Out of Our Minds Art Studio •Fiddle Workshop •Irish Music •Free Family Fun!
Community Awards It’s a House Decorating/Porch Party Contest... The 2020 Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee is once again hosting a house decorating/ porch party contest to be judged by an independent person chosen by the Parade committee. The theme of this year’s contest is “You are Invited”. Prizes will be awarded for the “best porch
party” and “best decorated house” along the Parade route. The Parade route will form at the Fairgrounds track near the Liberty and 17th Streets gate ( Main Gate vicinity) The Parade will proceed West on Liberty, turn North on 19th Street, West on Tilghman to 25th Street, South on 25th Street to Liberty Street then East on Liberty Street and disband at the Fairgrounds 19th
neighborhood affair!
Street gate. All homes along the Parade route are encouraged to participate. Prizes will be awarded immediately upon conclusion of the Parade.
Food Drive The Parade is hosting a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley. The Parade is partnering with several local businesses and the Minsi Trails Council to help collect food the day of the Parade. Members of Boy Scout Troop 439 will be marching behind the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley truck in the Parade to collect food brought to the Parade by spectators. Brown paper grocery bags donated by GIANT will be distributed doorto-door in the West End neighborhood the week before the Parade and will also be distributed at some of the Parade sponsored
events. The Food Drive kicks off at the annual Parade Fundraiser event being held Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Christopher’s at the Columbian Home. Donations will also be taken at the Coronation Celebration and the Irish Cultural Community Day being held March 20 and 21 respectively at Allentown Fairgrounds. The Parade is asking all spectators of the parade to bring a nonperishable food item to donate.
12th Annual West End St. Patrick’s 5k adds to parade festivities...
The West End Alliance is organizing the 12th running of the West End St. Patrick’s 5K, Sunday, March 22, 2020, along the parade route. Preceding the annual St. Patrick’s Parade, the race provides hundreds of runners with the chance to race through the beautiful West End and enjoy the pageantry of the Lehigh Valley’s best St. Patrick’s parade. Registration is available at westendstpats5k.com until March 17 or the limit of 1,000 runners has been reached. No race-day registration will be available. There is a $31 registration fee through March 1; $36 thereafter. Commemorative glassware ($5) and technical shirts ($11.50) will be available for purchase through March 1. Extras will be available for purchase on race day. Race amenities include post-race food, immediate race results by text and e-mail, personalized race bibs, indoor restrooms, and bib pick-up on Friday and Saturday in addition to race morning. The race starts and ends at 12:15 p.m. in front of Muhlenberg College’s Memorial Hall on Liberty Street between 23rd and 24th streets; post-race events occur in Muhlenberg’s Seegers Union. Proceeds from the race support neighborhood development efforts and beautification in the West End Theatre District. The race has raised more than $75,000 for the West End Alliance since 2009. Race Photos by Euniece Santiago SPRING 2016 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2020 WEST END LIVING
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Parade Day A truly
spectacular day! Parade Presenting Sponsor
It all kicks off with a grand performance... A Massed Bands Exhibition will take place immediately before the Parade at 1:00 PM on North 19th Street between Tilghman and Liberty Streets. All pipe bands will perform in unison under the direction of Drum Major Jason Litz. After the Parade the pipe bands will proceed to a Pub Crawl Sponsoring pub to perform additional tunes.
“The West End business community has benefitted greatly over the past decade that the St. Patrick’s Parade has been presented in the community. After the long winter with the challenges of snow, ice and cold, the St. Patrick’s week provides an important revenue boost, helps us shake off the winter doldrums, and gets the community smiling and moving out and about. It really had an amazing effect on our businesses.”
The big event... The 2020 Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade, now in its 63rd year, will start its march at 1:30 pm on Sunday, March 22, 2020. The Parade route will form at the Fairgrounds track near the Liberty and 19th Streets gate (Main Gate vicinity). The Parade will proceed West on Liberty, turn North on 19th Street, West on Tilghman Street to 25th Street, South on 25th Street to Liberty Street, then East on Liberty Street and disband at the Fairgrounds 19th Street gate. The Parade will include the 2020 King and Queen riding in a white coach drawn by a team of Belgium horses followed by Parade divisions each led by a pipe band.
Emergencies during the St. Patrick’s Parade…
See it all...
Live on Service Electric Cable Tv the day of the parade and rebroadcast on RCN Television March 22nd at 5 pm. and March 28th at 9 am. Or watch it on Video on Demand!
The St. Patrick’s Parade Committee has established a plan with the City of Allentown to deal with any emergency that should occur during the St. Patrick’s Parade in the West End. Should there be a need (health issue, lost child, fire, need for police, etc.) please dial 911 and report the emergency. First responders are prepared to answer you request for assistance.
Congratulations to our Annual Poster Contest Winners! See All 6 Winners in the 2020 Parade Program! Marian Smith 1st Place Senior Division 8th Grade St. Ann, Emmaus 16 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2016 16 WEST END LIVING SPRING 2020
Makenna Riccione 1st Place Junior Division 3rd Grade St. Joseph, Orefield
STUDENTS OF NOTE
Designs by
Maria Anastasia
Countdown to Spring!
Muhlenberg Elementary Johanielis Hernandez Santos is a pleasant and hardworking fourth-grade student who comes to school every morning with a smile on her face and a positive outlook for the day ahead of her. She is eager to learn and willing to help any student. This applies to her own classroom as well as the entire school! She is part of Muhlenberg’s Student Council and Writing Club. These programs are helping her become an even more well-rounded student and she is a model citizen in our school. Trexler Middle School Eighth-grader Aaron Schneider has been at Trexler throughout his middle school journey and has exhibited leadership skills at each grade level. In addition to his involvement in the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? team, Aaron is a student/athlete; he participated in the Yasso/Rothrock Christmas City Basketball Tournament, in which Allentown middle schools faced off against a Bethlehem school. As a member of our varsity basketball team, Aaron displays his leadership skills and stands up for what is right, even when challenged. He is an outstanding student and an incredible and loyal athlete.
Fine Dining
William Allen High School Senior Kerine Palacios is one of our best and brightest at William Allen High School. She is pleasant, focused, sincere, and humble. Kerine is a Student School Board representative, recipient of the City of Allentown Academic Excellence award, and an exceptional character reflector for our school. Kerine truly embodies what great potential looks like on a regular basis. Kerine has already been accepted by Dickinson College and Kutztown University. n
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Visit Our Allentown Office
Visit www.PaVotes.com for more information or call my office!
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Stay Connected My office is located at 2030 W. Tilghman Street and is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Feel free to stop by or call (610) 821-5577 Email: RepSchlossberg@pahouse.com Online: www.pahouse.com/Schlossberg Facebook.com/RepSchlossberg Twitter.com/RepSchlossberg
535 North 19th Street, Allentown
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Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm
215-538-5600 18 WEST END LIVING
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Saturday 9:00am - Noon
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Representative Mike Schlossberg
OUR PERFECT DAY IN THE WEST END
The Kareha’s Run on Coffee and Farmers Market Food Kate & Pete Kareha. Pete is the outgoing President of the Rose Garden Neighborhood Association and works for McGriff Insurance Services in downtown Allentown. Kate is a social media and content marketing consultant and works from home. We haven’t had a bad day since we moved back to the West End in 2014. But if we had to plan our perfect day it would start with a cup of coffee at home before we head out for a second cup of coffee. If we are walking our dog, Ruby, we head to Jay’s Local where she’s welcome inside. Half of the time we walk a bit further to Hava Java for one dirty chai (latte plus a shot of espresso) and one cappuccino. We travel there on foot by way of Muhlenberg College with our two young sons, Owen and Desmond.
First stop would be the large weeping tree on the east lawn of campus, which the boys have claimed as their personal HQ. They play inside the large branches every season of the year! Then we head to the Allentown Farmers Market where we each visit our favorite stands. The boys get a chocolate donut from Mary Ann Donut Kitchen, Kate grabs smoked turkey and cheese from Stoltzfus, and Pete covers a meal for the week with something new from Mr. Bill’s. On a PERFECT day, one nice vendor offers our kids a free treat from their counter. Leading up to this perfect day, we have spent some time during the week scoping out some other neighborhood happenings, like a yard sale or Blink’s semi-annual sale on frames. With fully bellies,
we head home back through campus and dozens of homesick students ask to pet Ruby. We play outside in the yard and people watch on our perfect corner of Ott and Gordon Streets. In the evening, our Muhlenberg College babysitter, Miss Val, comes over to watch the kids and Mom & Dad take an Uber to an opening at the
Allentown Art Museum, with just enough time for a cocktail at The Green House on our way home. Kate spends a good part of this day texting her favorite neighborhood mom-friend, Erica, and we plan our weekly Cali Burrito takeout get-together for the following day. Sleep. Wake-up. Coffee. Coffee. Repeat! n
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SCHOOL NEWS
Allentown School District Wins Three Teach Grants Three educators at William Allen High School were among 24 recipients district-wide of Teacher Innovation Grants, through the Allentown School District Foundation, in early December 2019. The winning instructors and programs follow: • Michelle Bruno: Digital Preservation of Allen history (sponsored by the Allentown Education Association Award) • Sara Rice: Art Therapy (sponsored by the WAHS Class of 1967 Award) • Crystal Sterner: “Putting the ‘Field’ in Field Trip” (sponsored by the First Student Field Trip Award) The total value of all TIG Awards tallies to more than $25,000. The
grants will fund English, language arts, social studies, special education, and social emotional learning projects in 16 Allentown School District (ASD) schools. The school districts volunteer TIG committee, along with further assistance and approval by ASD curriculum directors, reviewed 30 proposals from ASD educators. “We extend our gratitude not only to the TIG Committee for its dedication and diligence, but to our sponsors and all ASD educators who submitted TIG proposals,” said Jane Marks, Co-Chair. “These innovative plans will create a spark that ignites a life-long love of learning and impact not just minds, but hearts as well.” The Teacher Innovation Program started in 2010 with a small grant. Since that time, more than $143,000 has gone to 147 teachers.
TIG is pegged as a high-growth program for the foundation, with a goal to fund 10 percent of the
Allentown School District Foundation Selects Gala Co-Chairs
John and Anita Stevens
Westend Mission Collaborative Join us for these Lent and Easter Traditions
April 9 Maundy Thursday 7:30 PM Redeemer Lutheran Church, 822 N. 19th St. April 10 Good Friday NOON Redeemer Lutheran Church, 822 N. 19th St. 7:30 PM St. John Lutheran Church, 37 S. 5th Street
April 11 Easter Vigil 7:30 PM Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St.
Christ Lutheran Church | 8 and 10:30 AM St. John Lutheran Church | 10:30 AM Redeemer Lutheran Church | 10:15 AM St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 40 S. Ott St. | 10:30 AM 20 WEST END LIVING
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teacher corps, or to reach 140 to 150 ASD educators with grant support every year. n
Anthony and Sara Muir
The Allentown School District Foundation’s board of directors has named Anthony M. Muir and Sara “JoJo” Muir and John S. Stevens, Jr., D.O. and Anita Stevens as the honorary 2020 co-chairs of High Notes, the annual gala that showcases ASD students and is a primary funding mechanism for program support. This year’s gala will occur at Miller Symphony Hall on March 21, 2020. “The Muirs and the Stevens are both volunteers and donors, and care deeply about Allentown teachers and the welfare of our students,” said Dan Bosket, ASDF President. “Chairing High Notes honors the commitment that they have to the district and provides an opportunity for us to recognize their work and contributions.” The Muirs are long-time residents of the West End. Tony is a 1962 graduate of William Allen High School and is the Foundation’s Vice President and Governance Chair. As a community volunteer, he presently serves as the President of the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates and has served as
President of the Lehigh County Conference of Churches and Chair of the Second Harvest Food Bank advisory board. He helped to establish the Foundation’s volunteer literacy program and serves as a volunteer reader. Before retiring, he was a partner in the law firm of Scoblionko, Muir, Bartholomew and Melman. JoJo Muir is a volunteer reader in a kindergarten class at Jackson Early Childhood Center. She has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and managed the Make Your Mark program of the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown at Sheridan Elementary. As the mother of a teacher at Dodd Elementary School, JoJo has a deep interest in the value of public education. In prior years, she volunteered with the Society of the Arts of the Allentown Art Museum and the Development Advisory Board of Mercy Special Learning Center. Her involvement with the district and community programs reflects her resolve to make a difference in the lives of students. JoJo is also the Copy Editor of West End Living. n
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Shared Workspace Opens on West Allen, Caters to Professionals Small companies and solo remote workers in the West End no longer need to operate from a kitchen table or coffee shop. Krieger Real Estate has purchased Judge Melissa Pavlack’s former law offices at 1908 W. Allen St. and has converted it to 15 unfurnished private offices. The workspaces vary in size from 100 to 200 square feet, and there are a total of 12 individual work stations. “We’ve operated a similar facility at 1600 Hamilton St. since January 2019,” said company principal Joel Krieger. “There was so much
interest in it that we soon needed another location.” The West End offers a great mix of residential and business properties, he added. “A typical tenant is someone who needs to transition into a more formal environment, but isn’t quite ready to rent a complete office suite,” Krieger said. “Our offices will provide privacy and a break from distractions— like someone talking too loudly at the next table—to people who are growing their businesses,” Krieger said. “At the same time, they’ll be able to interact with other professional tenants.”
ON THE JOBS
Working from Home (In the West End)
Commuting to a formalized space is still the most common working arrangement, but remote workers can be just as productive while enjoying benefits that aren’t compatible with the usual 9-to-5 routine. Here are insights from three West End professionals who have taken that path. Stephen Rohrbach is president of Your PM.mobi LLC, an independent project management consulting company for construction-related projects. “For me, it’s all about the freedom,” he said. “For 35 years, I went to the same office every day and felt practically tied to it. Now I work out of my home, and I can conduct my day as I see fit. I’m an early riser, so I might start working at 5:30 a.m., freeing me to have a more flexible day.” The West End advantage: “I can quickly reach the turnpike, I-78 and route 309. If I need to meet a client on-site, I can drive to three different states in about 90 minutes.” Michael Drabenstott, President, Drabenstott Communications Group is a tenant of Northwood Properties. “My office is just a nine-minute walk from my home,” he said, “so it’s a convenient place to just immerse myself in ‘work
mode,’ away from the distraction of working at home. If I need to meet with a client, the conference room provides a professional environment.” The West End advantage: “It’s an easy walk to so many other businesses in the neighborhood. I can grab coffee at Hava Java, pick from 10 different places for lunch, or make a quick run to the Farmers Market.” Kindra Walker is President of Tremont Financial Coaching LLC. Although she maintains a virtual office at the Allentown Business Center, her actual base is in her home. “Previously, I drove to Lancaster and back every business day,” she said. “Now I work remotely, and I’ve reclaimed that commuting time. And if I need an actual ‘office,’ I can rent space bythe-hour at the Business Center. If I need to take a break, I can just go outside and exercise with my dogs.” The West End advantage: “When I started my business, Mike Drabenstott referred me to marketing and graphic design resources that were available right in the West End. Also, it’s a walkable neighborhood and a beautiful place to take a break from work.” n
Northport Properties LLC (the re-christened building) will also offer a shared conference room, enabling tenants to meet with clients in a professional environment. “And the space is designed to accommodate growing businesses,” Krieger said. “Imagine someone with a private office, who later adds an employee. That business could simply rent one of our freestanding workstations for the new hire, rather than paying for a larger office.”
Northport Properties offers flexible leasing terms for as little as three months for a single desk or one year for a full office. Rates range between $350 and $899 per month, depending upon size, and include high-speed internet and parking. “We’re equipped with Verizon FIOS,” Krieger said, “so tenants can use their own VOIP {voice-over-internet-protocol] systems.” n Interested? Contact Joel Krieger at (484) 460-2668 or joel@kriegerre.com
610.432.3045 | 526 N 19TH ST. ALLENTOWN, PA 18104
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IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Longtime neighborhood favorite Stooges Bar and Grill will soon reopen with a new owner, a new menu, and a whole new look inside and out. Joe Clark, Jr., a principal of Standard Real Estate LLC, purchased the property last year, after it had passed through a series of owners since Stooges suddenly closed four years ago. Clark and his crew basically gutted the place, installing new flooring, lighting, drywall, wiring, plumbing and kitchen equipment. Cosmetic upgrades include new paint and windows and a working garage door that will let patrons enjoy their visit al fresco (weather permitting, of course). Previous customers will recall the awkward interior layout – a bar and small dining area, with a larger and lower food-service area separated by walls. Those walls are gone, providing a more spacious and open design. The new configuration also allows room for a second full bar. In addition to the usual libations, the new Stooges will feature over a dozen different draft beers, ranging from megabrews to craft offerings. The revised menu will feature simple pub-style fare, such as burgers, cheesesteaks, sandwiches and various appetizers. Hours of operation and other details were not available at press time. n
PHOTO BY JANE GEIST PHOTOGRAPHY
Coming Soon: the All-New STOOGES
Where Is It?
We would like to
Thank Our Advertisers
Do you recognize this image? Identify its location in the West End Theatre District and you could win a $25 gift certificate from a restaurant in the neighborhood.
for their support of
WEST END LIVING
Send your entry by e-mail to michael@ drabenstott.com or mail to: M. Drabenstott, 2346 W. Allen St., Allentown PA 18104 By March 27, 2020.
n
Supplying timely insight into events and activities in our community! WINTER WINNER! Fairgrounds Track West Entrance Congratulations to
Jessica Donley, winner of our winter 2019 contest!
SPRING 2020
PHOTOS BY JANE GEIST PHOTOGRAPHY
One winner will be randomly selected from all the correct entries.
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If you would like to advertise contact our Neighborhood Coordinator
Ann Biernat-Rucker at 610-703-8004 annbiernatrucker@gmail.com
COMING SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19th
Food Venders
The 2020 West End World of Food Festival – our neighborhood’s salute to everything edible – is still six months away, but we’ve already secured several vendors from near and far. Here’s a quick rundown; we’ll provide updates in future issues of West End Living.
Lots of sides – like baked beans, coleslaw and corn bread – are available, too.
Madi’s offers more than a halfdozen sweet’n’savory dipping sauces as well.
Atomic Hogs BBQ, based in Effort, PA, offers classic and Southwestern-style barbecue menus. House specialties are “low’n’slow” pulled pork and Texas-style Angus beef brisket, but the menu includes ribs, fajitas, tacos, San Pablo chicken and other succulent dishes. Everything’s prepared gluten-free, and enhanced with fresh spice mixtures and rubs, as well as seven homemade barbecue sauces.
Madi’s On a Roll is “fusion at its finest.” Madi’s takes a staple of Chinese restaurants and mashes it up with other cuisines. Imagine a crispy, deep-fried eggroll packed with thin-sliced steak and gooey Cheez Whiz, or a vegetarian roll that’s filled with eggplant parmesan. Other varieties include southwest chicken, reuben, and bacon cheeseburger among others. There’s even a dessert egg roll, stuffed with apple pie flavors.
Sherri’s Crab Cakes is known from New England to Florida for doing one thing very well: crab cakes! Packed with lump and jumbo lump crab meat, Sherri’s Maryland-style cakes are seasoned with a special spice blend, and always grilled on-site. Habby Fruit is headquartered in nearby Fogelsville, and produces a variety of hot sauces that combine heat and sweet. Teach is made
from locally grown habanero chiles, fresh fruits and select spices. Available in five flavors – apricot, mango, apple-garlic, blackberry and raspberry. Funtastic Faces and Body Art lets children’s imaginations fly, by transforming their faces into a butterfly, dragon, tiger or other amazing creature. The familyowned business also offers body painting, mommy-to-be belly painting, henna or glitter tattoos and hair feather extensions. All paints are FDA-approved and come off with soap and water. n
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Timothy Oskin, MD; Michael Ringold, MD; Calogero DiMaggio, DO St. Luke’s University Health Network offers access to Allentown's leading team of vascular physicians who are expertly trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of all vascular conditions. And now, our world-class team is supported by the newest, world-class surgical facilities in the region... located at St. Luke’s Allentown Campus.
1736 Hamilton Street • Allentown, PA 18104
If you have a family history of vascular disease, have diabetes, are overweight, experience pain or tingling in your extremities, you should be under the care of a board-certified vascular physician.
For more information, call 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) option 4, or visit sluhn.org 24 WEST END LIVING
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