Chen Charges Forward!

Photos by Gianni Villa, age 7, except the one he is in , which I took. (Mrs. D)

The Chen Arts Group (CHARGE)'s 5th party/event was a smashing (and productive) success last night! Thanks to Joe Skrapits for hosting. And thanks to all who attended.

Now On The Agenda: Chen's 1st Group Art Show will be October 4 at Pete Lewnes's coo-el space-- prep, promo plans, and details following. This will be an all day event.

Chen Charges Forward!

Photos by Gianni Villa, age 7, except the one he is in , which I took. (Mrs. D)

The Chen Arts Group (CHARGE)'s 5th party/event was a smashing (and productive) success last night! Thanks to Joe Skrapits for hosting. And thanks to all who attended.

Now On The Agenda: Chen's 1st Group Art Show will be October 4 at Pete Lewnes's coo-el space-- prep, promo plans, and details following. This will be an all day event.

Our Fifth Fabulous Event!

Attention friends and local glitterati: The scene-stealing Allentown Chen-Arts Group will be holding it's fifth fabulous monthly happening at the Musselman Arts Center 601 Hamilton St, Allentown on this Saturday Sept. 6th, 6:30 PM.

We'll meet in the offices of the Antonio Salemme Foundation, on the second floor. We will be charging over to Chen for dinner at around 7:30-8:00. Jenny Chen said we need to make sure we order food before 8:30. I have reserved the back room for our party. I am excited about meeting some new artists, and of course seeing all of you dedicated Chennies. Joe Skrapits is taking charge of the show at Musselman. Pete Lewnes has some exciting newses! We might be able to have a group show real soon, but I will let Pete tell you about that. Joe will talk about the studio building at 4th and Tilghman and the future NoTi arts district. I hope everyone had a chance to see the article in last Sunday's Morning Call and the 69 News spot. The fabulous Chen Arts group was mentioned in TMC's article. Exciting things are happening for the arts in Allentown and I am proud to be a part of this positive movement!

Did I mention how fabulous this is?

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

Andy Warhol

Painting is by Antonio Salemme

Our Fifth Fabulous Event!

Attention friends and local glitterati: The scene-stealing Allentown Chen-Arts Group will be holding it's fifth fabulous monthly happening at the Musselman Arts Center 601 Hamilton St, Allentown on this Saturday Sept. 6th, 6:30 PM.

We'll meet in the offices of the Antonio Salemme Foundation, on the second floor. We will be charging over to Chen for dinner at around 7:30-8:00. Jenny Chen said we need to make sure we order food before 8:30. I have reserved the back room for our party. I am excited about meeting some new artists, and of course seeing all of you dedicated Chennies. Joe Skrapits is taking charge of the show at Musselman. Pete Lewnes has some exciting newses! We might be able to have a group show real soon, but I will let Pete tell you about that. Joe will talk about the studio building at 4th and Tilghman and the future NoTi arts district. I hope everyone had a chance to see the article in last Sunday's Morning Call and the 69 News spot. The fabulous Chen Arts group was mentioned in TMC's article. Exciting things are happening for the arts in Allentown and I am proud to be a part of this positive movement!

Did I mention how fabulous this is?

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

Andy Warhol

Painting is by Antonio Salemme

Introducing: Mr. Dottie!

I (Mrs. Dottie) am pleased and proud to announce the addition of my husband Bill Villa (Mr. Dottie!) as my co-blogger sidekick at Lehigh Valley Somebody, effective immediately. As you'll see, Mr. and Mrs. Dottie don't see eye to eye on everything. For example, Bill, er, I mean Mr. Dottie, is not boycotting The Morning Call "Blogger Tuesday" or "Valley Blogosphere" as I am. Mr. Dottie is A-Quiver and wants IN at Blogger Tuesday, Valley Blogosphere, Sounding Bored, etc. (he's in advertising; see the self-promo attraction/agenda?), PLUS (and this is very exciting), Mr. Dottie will be attending all meetings involving local bloggers, Glenn Kranzley, and The Morning Call, starting with the inaugural meeting on October 4 just announced by Chris Casey > http://lvconversation.blogspot.com/2008/08/lehigh-valley-bloggapallooza-is-go.html

Welcome aboard, Mr. Dottie!

Introducing: Mr. Dottie!

I (Mrs. Dottie) am pleased and proud to announce the addition of my husband Bill Villa (Mr. Dottie!) as my co-blogger sidekick at Lehigh Valley Somebody, effective immediately. As you'll see, Mr. and Mrs. Dottie don't see eye to eye on everything. For example, Bill, er, I mean Mr. Dottie, is not boycotting The Morning Call "Blogger Tuesday" or "Valley Blogosphere" as I am. Mr. Dottie is A-Quiver and wants IN at Blogger Tuesday, Valley Blogosphere, Sounding Bored, etc. (he's in advertising; see the self-promo attraction/agenda?), PLUS (and this is very exciting), Mr. Dottie will be attending all meetings involving local bloggers, Glenn Kranzley, and The Morning Call, starting with the inaugural meeting on October 4 just announced by Chris Casey > http://lvconversation.blogspot.com/2008/08/lehigh-valley-bloggapallooza-is-go.html

Welcome aboard, Mr. Dottie!

"Difficulties and challenges": the city website

At my "Revitalization:let's make it personal" post from last week I received many thoughtful comments and ideas from concerned readers regarding the city website. City Councilor Michael Donovan has provided us with an update from the city council meeting last night where the issue was discussed. Thanks Michael. I have decided to post that here so my readers can be updated:

"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"

He suggests an arts website. The Arts Commission already has a blog called "Allentown City Arts" which I link to at my sidebar. Maybe that can be updated. I am surprised that there is a lack of resources for the city website. Isn't this why we pay taxes? And there is a 14 million dollar surplus.

Since our local newspaper does not provide the citizens of Allentown with comprehensive coverage of city meetings and other developments, I believe the website should be viewed as an important and useful public service. It's an important resource for finding necessary information. I mean no offense to people who work for the city or in city govt., but if you people can't run a website, then why should I have confidence in your ability to run a city?

If you look at the list of all the city commissions, authorities, boards, corporations, councils, etc, there seem to be a lot of people paid to work for the city. I would think some of those people would "volunteer" to get it together and maintain a website. What do you think? Here's a link to city website: http://www.allentownpa.gov/

(Picture has no deep meaning, just for fun.)

"Difficulties and challenges": the city website

At my "Revitalization:let's make it personal" post from last week I received many thoughtful comments and ideas from concerned readers regarding the city website. City Councilor Michael Donovan has provided us with an update from the city council meeting last night where the issue was discussed. Thanks Michael. I have decided to post that here so my readers can be updated:

"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"

He suggests an arts website. The Arts Commission already has a blog called "Allentown City Arts" which I link to at my sidebar. Maybe that can be updated. I am surprised that there is a lack of resources for the city website. Isn't this why we pay taxes? And there is a 14 million dollar surplus.

Since our local newspaper does not provide the citizens of Allentown with comprehensive coverage of city meetings and other developments, I believe the website should be viewed as an important and useful public service. It's an important resource for finding necessary information. I mean no offense to people who work for the city or in city govt., but if you people can't run a website, then why should I have confidence in your ability to run a city?

If you look at the list of all the city commissions, authorities, boards, corporations, councils, etc, there seem to be a lot of people paid to work for the city. I would think some of those people would "volunteer" to get it together and maintain a website. What do you think? Here's a link to city website: http://www.allentownpa.gov/

(Picture has no deep meaning, just for fun.)

Great day for women

Today, Aug 26, 2008 marks the 88th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Constitution was amended to grant women the right to vote.

After watching Michelle Obama speak last night I feel really proud to be a woman. She is an outstanding speaker. She is a compassionate, intelligent woman who has worked hard to accomplish so much in her life. And she puts family first. What a great American story she told about her life. She talked about American values that all of us, liberal, conservative or whatever, should be able to relate to. Her picture should be on the front page of every newspaper today. She is an inspiration to ALL women. And she's real. Unpatriotic? Elitist? I don't think so. In fact, hearing her speak last night made me feel a little more proud to be an American. And it gave me hope.

Go Obama! Let's take this country to where it should be.

Great day for women

Today, Aug 26, 2008 marks the 88th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Constitution was amended to grant women the right to vote.

After watching Michelle Obama speak last night I feel really proud to be a woman. She is an outstanding speaker. She is a compassionate, intelligent woman who has worked hard to accomplish so much in her life. And she puts family first. What a great American story she told about her life. She talked about American values that all of us, liberal, conservative or whatever, should be able to relate to. Her picture should be on the front page of every newspaper today. She is an inspiration to ALL women. And she's real. Unpatriotic? Elitist? I don't think so. In fact, hearing her speak last night made me feel a little more proud to be an American. And it gave me hope.

Go Obama! Let's take this country to where it should be.

Milk, bread, & eggs

I read this at Bill Moyer's Journal and thought it was worth sharing:

"The news at the grocery store is grim for many. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices rose by 4% last year, the largest increase in 17 years. And, the USDA predicts they will rise another 4% this year. Eggs are up 40% in the past year; milk up 26% a gallon; a loaf of standard bread, 20%.

All across the nation families, government agencies and food banks are feeling the pinch. So many people are in precarious straits our government figures 28 million Americans will be using food stamps this year, the highest level since the program began in the 1960s. Almost one in 10 people in Ohio get food stamps; one in eight in Michigan, and one in six West Virginians. The rising food prices make that assistance worth less and less and food banks and pantries are facing increased need and those same higher prices."

The govt. does not use the word "hungry" to describe the 35 million Americans who have trouble finding the money to put food on the table. They use the term "food insecure." Second Harvest Food Bank will be changing their name to "Feeding America." http://www.secondharvest.org/

Demand at their food banks is up 20% over last year.

So why have food prices gone up so drastically? Well I did some research and found out that it's mostly because of record oil prices, so there's an increase in transportation costs, and an added demand for corn and soybeans to make alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and as a result, corn prices have more than doubled, soybean prices have nearly tripled. When the price of corn rises, so does price of livestock feed. So, meat, poultry and egg prices go up. Another reason is poor wheat harvests. And it is predicted that food prices will continue to rise. So I guess it's a good idea to clip those coupons and start cutting back.

Milk, bread, & eggs

I read this at Bill Moyer's Journal and thought it was worth sharing:

"The news at the grocery store is grim for many. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices rose by 4% last year, the largest increase in 17 years. And, the USDA predicts they will rise another 4% this year. Eggs are up 40% in the past year; milk up 26% a gallon; a loaf of standard bread, 20%.

All across the nation families, government agencies and food banks are feeling the pinch. So many people are in precarious straits our government figures 28 million Americans will be using food stamps this year, the highest level since the program began in the 1960s. Almost one in 10 people in Ohio get food stamps; one in eight in Michigan, and one in six West Virginians. The rising food prices make that assistance worth less and less and food banks and pantries are facing increased need and those same higher prices."

The govt. does not use the word "hungry" to describe the 35 million Americans who have trouble finding the money to put food on the table. They use the term "food insecure." Second Harvest Food Bank will be changing their name to "Feeding America." http://www.secondharvest.org/

Demand at their food banks is up 20% over last year.

So why have food prices gone up so drastically? Well I did some research and found out that it's mostly because of record oil prices, so there's an increase in transportation costs, and an added demand for corn and soybeans to make alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and as a result, corn prices have more than doubled, soybean prices have nearly tripled. When the price of corn rises, so does price of livestock feed. So, meat, poultry and egg prices go up. Another reason is poor wheat harvests. And it is predicted that food prices will continue to rise. So I guess it's a good idea to clip those coupons and start cutting back.