Hello friends! The Allentown Chen-Arts Group (CHARGE) is a growing group of local artists and friends interested in showing their work in Allentown, and possibly the surrounding LV area. The group was started by artists. When we get together once a month, artists are given an opportunity to present their art work to the group. Our next get together will be Sat. Sept. 6th, at the Musselman arts center on Hamilton St. Check back here for more info.What I like about the group is the spirit of community, and the exchange of ideas. It's exciting to meet new people and learn new things, to see what other artists do. It's been fun to re-connect with old friends.We are all different, yet we do have things in common. I think this kind of "all inclusive" community building, through the arts, will help revitalize Allentown. It certainly has helped to revitalize my spirit! Art brings people together. All kinds of people of all ages. Everyone is welcome to participate in this group.
I think there needs to be more "all inclusive" community building in Allentown. It's the people who matter most. It's the neighborhoods. It's the kids in the school district. Why doesn't the city website http://www.allentownpa.gov/ include some pictures of these people, instead of just buildings and statues? Put people first. What do you think?
Photo: The first Chen-Arts get together at House of Chen, Allentown
Photo: The first Chen-Arts get together at House of Chen, Allentown
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37 comments:
People,
People who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting a grownup pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers are very special people
They're the luckiest people in the world
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
Nice song, thanks!
People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the lord
Another nice song!
I figured you'd like them. You're a people person.
I had a conversation with the head of the City's IT Dept. this afternoon about changes we know we need to make to the website.
Perhaps the Chen Arts Group can assemble some better images of Allentown for consideration. I've always appreciated the images on your website. You have an eye, Mrs. Dottie.
Hmmm, you got me thinking. Perhaps the Chen Arts Group could help organize a contest of positive original images of Allentown. Winners might get their images posted on the City website. Let's ruminate on this one...
Thanks for the compliment Joyce,
I'm not a pro photographer, but I'm sure there are people from our group who could take nice shots of people.
I feel like Rip Van Winkle but I am finally back on track! I am glad to see people are still tackling the issues. I will be joining the fray!
Alfonso
Alfonso,
Good to have you back! I was wondering what happened to you!
"Perhaps the Chen Arts Group could help organize a contest of positive original images of Allentown. Winners might get their images posted on the City website. Let's ruminate on this one..." -Joyce Marin
Great Idea, Joyce!
Everyone ... what do you think?
My only caveat would be let's not make it a habit that The City (or any organization) asks artists to donate their talents for free. Having a budget to apply ;) is always more "supportive" and respectful of the artists. On the other hand, many artists jump at any opportunity for exposure, so it goes both ways.
(ruminating) could the city pony up a cash prize for selected photos?
when joyce mentioned this last night to me...I was wondering if I could organize some sort of gift certificate "awards" for the contest from local area spots...she liked the idea...what does everyone think?
Hello.. lets Talk to the Allentown Visitors Center.. and have them sponser a Post card series, made by the Allentown Artist
This could be the begining of a new visual statement.
I also like the idea of submitting Photos to the city,
this could revolve, and include Art as a important part to the city
Hello.. lets push forward since i live here, i am dedicated to seeing any creative project take root.
A post card series is a excellent way for the city to involve artist
This could escallate into a billboard for tourism, or another way to showcase Allentown, since it is the Third Largest City in Pennsylvania
Pete,
Gift certificate sounds like a good idea.
Re Greg's idea, do you know anyone at visitor's center?
Wow. This blog just exploded with great ideas. I love it! I would definitely be into the "photo assignment." There are some real characters and great small biz owners in Allentown that would definitely represent what life is like here. If Joyce wants to officially announce an image drive for the city website I'd be willing to participate. I'm sure there are many more out there that would be interested, too.
This DEFINITELY would be a great way to show Allentown in its natural state. It also could create a type of tourism following. I would definitely get involved!
Alfonso
Virginia Savage of the county I believe works with the visitor's center...her email is: Virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org
I love the fact that Wegmans still sells the Allentown postcards that has the canopy "mall" structures on them. I would say it's time for Allentown to get a new postcard.
The Baum School is currently running a contest for holiday cards too that will end up with some prize from them.
lemme get some sleep this weekend and perhaps I can pull some thoughts together - contact us with thoughts on how to proceed....how exciting is this?!
CHARGE!
Speaking of Baum School, teacher and artist Ro Geseck, who showed her work at Pete's party, has been selected to paint scenes of Allentown and the LV on a Christmas ball for the Whitehouse Christmas tree. Hope the newspaper does a story on this.
... the "newspaper" is kinda busy these days getting all the non-MC-boycotting local bloggers A-Quiver (at the thought of being selected for inclusion at its Forum-based "Blogger Tuesday" spotlight) so they'll stop writing anything negative about the "newspaper" at their blogs ...
I dropped a email to Virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org
and explained myself.. The Chen Arts Group, and how we would like support for a post card series, .
i will let you know more when she replies to my email.
thanks
Thanks Greg, glad you took CHARGE of that one!
As far as the promo videos,I think they need to be updated and show more of what they call a "thriving arts community" rather than just the institutions.
Greetings:
On Wednesday evening, the Council's Administrative Committee is considering a variety of topics, but on the agenda is a discussion concerning the city's website.
I am very disppointed with not only the lack of content (both governmental topics and the great ideas posted here), but also the overall design
If one were to examine other cities around the country (smaller the same size, or larger), I think he or she would say we can do better. At the Allentown Arts Commission meeting yesterday, we discussed the importance of the website in promoting our city's cultural life.
The agenda item is meant to force discussion about the implementation of the website. As chair, I have asked for information about the plan be presented. Members of the committee will have a chance to brainstorm. If members of the public wish to make their comments known, stop by.
The meeting start at 7pm. First on the agenda is the city's 2007 financial audit. This could take some time. Also, on the agenda are a couple of ordinances for review, both of which could take some time to discuss.
The entire agenda is important and sets the stage for a busy fall. Council is very interested in a variety of matters.
Best regards,
Michael
bill villa, in all due respect could one say some are
A-Quiver at getting their art work on the City Web Site or county travel bureau postcards, and even winning a free burger at the brewpub? would these A-Quivers refrain from criticizing the city? my point is only that perhaps its time to put that arrow back in the quiver.
Michael Donovan, good to see you "taking a side," I knew you had it in you.
Michael Molovinsky, get lost already ...
Hello Bill Villa:
Always a pleasure.
Every human being has a side. He or she can manifest that in numerous ways.
People in the city may not like the way I carry out my work, and even may disagree with a side that I might take. There will be times that I defend 1 person against 108,000 and times I will defend the most of the population against a few. I do not simply look at 50.1%.
However, I am just doing my job and trying to be the best councilor I can be. I spent 35 years in a variety of positions developing some skills, just like anyone else. I'll try to put them to use. They will always be guided by my own philosophical compass, which I have noted in many places and will not repeat here.
And in this case, I am expressing an opinion, noted several times at my blog, at council, and in meetings...the city's website is really a disappointment to me.
That is not taking a side. That is expressing an opinion and then attempting to see how we can make improvements, which is why I asked for the topic to be on the commitee's agenda. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of people saying it is great. I'll have to work through that, won't I?
And Michael Molivinsky cares about Allentown just like lots of people do. He may disagree with some people. Others may disagee with him. He is always welcomed at my blog, just like anyone else.
I choose to critize, to push, to debate, and to fight on issues important to the citizens of Allentown in my own way, subject to those times I can be convinced (and I mean really convinced) that another way might work. Personally, I like my approach, because over time, it seems to work.
Best regards,
Michael Donovan
"Personally, I like my approach, because over time, it seems to work."
Michael D, over time, the voters will decide whether your approach works.
Hello Bill:
Well, I guess you do not give me credit to understand that.
An elected official always has to balance the changing currents of citizens against his or her own compass.
Not knowing how to balance that creates a politician who just follows the crowd or someone who believes they are always right.
I did not say that I was always right, nor did I say that accepting majority opinion is always the best direction to take.
What I said was that I have a style that I'm going to use until convinced something else works better. If I do not get reelected, then so be it. The end of the world will not occur for me. I have experienced far worse tragedy than that. I can only do the best job that I can do as a human being who tries to care about doing a good job.
If you notice, the need for a better website was a topic here and I explained that it is something I have asked the administration to explain to the public. A better website will help the initiative described here.
That is the important topic.
Sincerely,
Michael Donovan
At city councilor Donovan's blog, he asked for suggestions regarding the city web site. This was back in Feb. There were some good ideas, some commenters even mentioned that it should have pictures of people and community. And now, 6 months later, members of the committee are meeting and starting to "brainstorm." Geeze.
Dear Ms. Dottie:
Hello. Unfortunately, I cannot order the administration to do things. And inside, I have been calling for this among the several players for many months.
We have administration meetings once a month. Earlier this year, we had other things on the docket.
I brought the topic up at our July meeting (note: how many month after the new site was developed? Not many). The administration asked that they be prepared for the discussion at the August meeting.
I am sorry that it is not fast enough, but there are some other pressing issues in the city that also take up our time.
Best regards,
Michael Donovan
"I have a style that I'm going to use until convinced something else works better." -Allentown City Councilor Michael Donovan
Michael, you're from out of town, word of advice: when dealing with Allentown PA power brokers who routinely cheat and lie (e.g., TMC's Editorial/Opinions VP Glenn Kranzley or DA Jim Martin), 'civility' will get you absolutely nowhere fast. It will only make it easier for the crooked cronies to ignore you. And while my style (and let's call it 'head-butting') has not (yet) gotten me that meeting with the Morning Call Editorial Board I crave, head-butting had a terrific effect on DA Jim Martin in that it greatly facilitated getting the homicidal drunk driver who killed my daughter Sheena 5.5 to 12 years in state prison instead of a weekend in jail and some house arrest.
Sure, there's a time for pussy-footing.
But it couldn't hurt to have a more testosterone-based "Head-Butting Plan B" in your bag of communications tools too.
I guess it depends on what's more important to you: obsessively focusing on "civil process" ... or getting results.
michael donovan said...
Hello Bill Villa:
Always a pleasure.
Sarcasm this dripping isn't very civil now is it?
Greetings:
Tonight at the administration meeting, we received a briefing from the city's information officer about the difficulties and challenges of bringing the website up to full capacity.
Much of the problem can be linked to poor decisions in past administrations, but also a lack of resources available to work with and publish content. In particular, within the city, the time and skill necessary to manipulate images, video, and even text rests in only a few people, who also have other responsibilities.
Then, there is the need to make sure that all pages are consistent and follow similar themes.
This all said, Michael D'Amore and I recommended to the manager that he provide a summary of the needs he has to move forward and get the site fully populated. Issues such as design can wait.
As far as getting an improved presentation of our arts community, perhaps some people can get together and consider how the city could link to an arts website (perhaps co-sponsored by the arts commission), or even provided volunteers who can be authorized to update a city based site.
I'm going to leave it to each of you to think about what is best. However, please know that I'll support whatever moves us to a point where we present the city's arts and culture in a worldclass way.
Best regards,
Michael Donovan
" ... a briefing from the city's information officer ... bringing the website up to full capacity ... problem can be linked to ... past administrations ... also a lack of resources ... people, who also have other responsibilities ... manager ... summary of the needs ... design can wait ... I'm going to leave it to each of you to think about what is best ..." -Donovan
Michael, this may be a slight exaggeration, but any intern with his or her own MySpace page should be able to do this for free. Or, what about that $14 million surplus? Could a few bucks be applied to upgrading the City's official website? The Mayor and City Council are building us a whole new city. Building a new website should be a piece of cake ...
Hello Bill:
You are right about younger people being able to do this when the right engine is supporting the content.
We discussed that possibility at length. And did not dismiss it.
I think it would be fair to say that other information system priorities, coupled with a lack of staff has contributed to the delays.
I'm not happy with the delays, which is why I asked for the meeting.
Best regards,
Michael
Thanks for getting it on the agenda and for continuing to push it forward, Michael ...
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