Thank you Ralph Nader

Americans should be thankful for Ralph Nader. He helped found the EPA and OSHA, among many other governmental and non-profit organizations. He has been an advocate for consumer rights and safety, human rights, the environment, and democracy. He has been a critic of large corporations and corporate greed.

The editors at the Morning Call made the decision to run a very disrespectful bashing of Nader and his latest documentary. This review was written by a Tribune writer. It appeared in Saturday's entertainment section.

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/all-celebritypolitics0105.6214207jan05,0,6736481.story

Thank you Ralph Nader

Americans should be thankful for Ralph Nader. He helped found the EPA and OSHA, among many other governmental and non-profit organizations. He has been an advocate for consumer rights and safety, human rights, the environment, and democracy. He has been a critic of large corporations and corporate greed.

The editors at the Morning Call made the decision to run a very disrespectful bashing of Nader and his latest documentary. This review was written by a Tribune writer. It appeared in Saturday's entertainment section.

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/all-celebritypolitics0105.6214207jan05,0,6736481.story

Poo-poo on the Real Artists

One of the reasons why I resent upscale, swanky boutiques for the ultra rich opening in my middle-class neighborhood is because they have replaced two venues which gave local artists an opportunity to show their work, Mom's Pizza (doubled as an art gallery), and Positively 19th St. (A cd and record store which featured cd's and performances by local talent). This change has happened only over the last 2 years or so. Some cheerleaders for Allentown may call this "progress." Get those wacky retro artists outta here, they are getting in the way of real progress with their meaningful, thoughtful artistic statements. Now let's get shopping and be positive!! Look how beautiful these storefronts look! They'll look great on our new blog!

I have nothing against upscale boutiques, and I enjoy making special purchases (like once a year maybe), but these "shoppes" really cater to people who live in wealthier neighborhoods. Isn't that what the Promenade is for? I really don't know too many people who live in my neighborhood who can afford a $500.00 handbag. Let's be realistic. And I wonder if the reason why they offer free "wine tastings" with shopping is to get people so drunk that they just hand over their credit card? Sorry, I'm not biting.

Mom's pizza doubled as an art gallery and showcased local artists like Rosemary Geseck, Annie Giancarlo, and Chris Jones, and the late Gregg Weaver. A little art scene was starting to evolve a few years ago, along with a sense of community where artists and patrons of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds could gather. Most artists cannot afford to go to the Allentown Art Musem events, auctions, dinners, and other social functions that really exclude the artists because of the high ticket price. It seems like those events are mostly for the patrons of the arts who you see every week on the social pages of the paper.

Just a note here: The Card Shop/ Post Office is closing its doors on 19th St. because they were robbed two times, so were some other stores. The Shanty and Saylor's diner, two major anchors for the area, are still vacant. The swanky storefronts can't mask the fact that crime does exist in this neighborhood as well as in the downtown.

But those new banners make me feel much better.

Please read this:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/12/does_consumerism_degrade_democ_1.html

Painting by Rosemary Geseck, local artist and teacher at The Baum School of Art

Update: I forgot to mention that The Shanty was a venue for many local bands.

Poo-poo on the Real Artists

One of the reasons why I resent upscale, swanky boutiques for the ultra rich opening in my middle-class neighborhood is because they have replaced two venues which gave local artists an opportunity to show their work, Mom's Pizza (doubled as an art gallery), and Positively 19th St. (A cd and record store which featured cd's and performances by local talent). This change has happened only over the last 2 years or so. Some cheerleaders for Allentown may call this "progress." Get those wacky retro artists outta here, they are getting in the way of real progress with their meaningful, thoughtful artistic statements. Now let's get shopping and be positive!! Look how beautiful these storefronts look! They'll look great on our new blog!

I have nothing against upscale boutiques, and I enjoy making special purchases (like once a year maybe), but these "shoppes" really cater to people who live in wealthier neighborhoods. Isn't that what the Promenade is for? I really don't know too many people who live in my neighborhood who can afford a $500.00 handbag. Let's be realistic. And I wonder if the reason why they offer free "wine tastings" with shopping is to get people so drunk that they just hand over their credit card? Sorry, I'm not biting.

Mom's pizza doubled as an art gallery and showcased local artists like Rosemary Geseck, Annie Giancarlo, and Chris Jones, and the late Gregg Weaver. A little art scene was starting to evolve a few years ago, along with a sense of community where artists and patrons of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds could gather. Most artists cannot afford to go to the Allentown Art Musem events, auctions, dinners, and other social functions that really exclude the artists because of the high ticket price. It seems like those events are mostly for the patrons of the arts who you see every week on the social pages of the paper.

Just a note here: The Card Shop/ Post Office is closing its doors on 19th St. because they were robbed two times, so were some other stores. The Shanty and Saylor's diner, two major anchors for the area, are still vacant. The swanky storefronts can't mask the fact that crime does exist in this neighborhood as well as in the downtown.

But those new banners make me feel much better.

Please read this:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/12/does_consumerism_degrade_democ_1.html

Painting by Rosemary Geseck, local artist and teacher at The Baum School of Art

Update: I forgot to mention that The Shanty was a venue for many local bands.

Front Page Nudes

Anyone notice the picture of the upside down pole dancer in a bikini on the front page of Jan.1st's Morning Crawl? Happy Nude Year!

At my son's school the teachers encourage parents to read the newspaper with their children. How am I going to explain this one to a curious six year old? What do I say to him when he asks "can we go to THAT playground mommy?"

The article was titled "New Year Brings New Laws on the Books." Let's see, some of the new laws they mention are that blood donors can now be 16 yrs. old in Pa, there's a new ban on text messaging while driving in Washington state, energy miser light bulbs are now required in larger buildings in Illinois. But they chose to use the picture of a stripper doing a pole dance and highlight the new $5 per customer "pole tax" law at strip clubs in Texas. I guess pictures of lightbulbs don't sell papers.

Note: I couldn't find the actual image from the paper, so I used a similar image.

Front Page Nudes

Anyone notice the picture of the upside down pole dancer in a bikini on the front page of Jan.1st's Morning Crawl? Happy Nude Year!

At my son's school the teachers encourage parents to read the newspaper with their children. How am I going to explain this one to a curious six year old? What do I say to him when he asks "can we go to THAT playground mommy?"

The article was titled "New Year Brings New Laws on the Books." Let's see, some of the new laws they mention are that blood donors can now be 16 yrs. old in Pa, there's a new ban on text messaging while driving in Washington state, energy miser light bulbs are now required in larger buildings in Illinois. But they chose to use the picture of a stripper doing a pole dance and highlight the new $5 per customer "pole tax" law at strip clubs in Texas. I guess pictures of lightbulbs don't sell papers.

Note: I couldn't find the actual image from the paper, so I used a similar image.

Works like Magic!

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is an amazing product. It even removes pen marks from tables and walls but you must be careful when using it because if you scrub too hard it could remove the paint from your wall or damage the surface of your table. It's important to read the instructions and heed the precautions. It works great on soap scum.

If you have been reading the comments at the Morning Call Forum lately you may have noticed that there are several people referring to some residents of Allentown as "scum" or "scumbags" that need to be removed from the downtown along with the "bus people", and certain ethnic minority groups, because they are getting in the way of improvement. I don't think these heartless commenters have bothered to take any precautions (like maybe...thinking) before spewing their hate. Even "magic erasers" can cause permanent damage.

Works like Magic!

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is an amazing product. It even removes pen marks from tables and walls but you must be careful when using it because if you scrub too hard it could remove the paint from your wall or damage the surface of your table. It's important to read the instructions and heed the precautions. It works great on soap scum.

If you have been reading the comments at the Morning Call Forum lately you may have noticed that there are several people referring to some residents of Allentown as "scum" or "scumbags" that need to be removed from the downtown along with the "bus people", and certain ethnic minority groups, because they are getting in the way of improvement. I don't think these heartless commenters have bothered to take any precautions (like maybe...thinking) before spewing their hate. Even "magic erasers" can cause permanent damage.

Out From the Cheap Seats

Being an audience member for some of the local political bloggers has occasionally left me out in the cheap seats. Sometimes my comments, compliments, and questions get ignored. I'd like to set the stage for a blog where good manners are encouraged and opposing points of view are welcome. You don't have to be on "my team" to be part of the discussion.

I live in Allentown. I'm concerned about some of the changes I see in my neighborhood and in the downtown. I live in a middle class neighborhood, but so many of the new stores (excuse me, boutiques and bistros) seem to cater only to the ultra-rich. I'm all for progress, but I think things might be changing too fast. For example, the pretty banners the city placed over the rusty old 15th St. bridge would have a lot more impact if the bridge was at least painted first. It's kinda like turd-polishing. More on turd-polishing later.

Out From the Cheap Seats

Being an audience member for some of the local political bloggers has occasionally left me out in the cheap seats. Sometimes my comments, compliments, and questions get ignored. I'd like to set the stage for a blog where good manners are encouraged and opposing points of view are welcome. You don't have to be on "my team" to be part of the discussion.

I live in Allentown. I'm concerned about some of the changes I see in my neighborhood and in the downtown. I live in a middle class neighborhood, but so many of the new stores (excuse me, boutiques and bistros) seem to cater only to the ultra-rich. I'm all for progress, but I think things might be changing too fast. For example, the pretty banners the city placed over the rusty old 15th St. bridge would have a lot more impact if the bridge was at least painted first. It's kinda like turd-polishing. More on turd-polishing later.