Piks from Thursday's Chen-Arts Press Conference

Mayor Ed Pawlowski and an ebullient gathering of about 50 art lovers served up an appetizer of what attendees will see during this weekend's 1st Chen Arts Group Show at the home of Pete Lewnes, 445 - 447 N. 7th Street in Allentown (please use Liberty St. side entrance).

In conjunction with the OAPA House Tour, the Allentown Chen Arts Group is presenting "16 and a Movie," an inaugural art show on Saturday from 10-4 and Sunday from 12-2:30 on the second floor of 445-447 N. 7th Street (please use Liberty St. side entrance).

The show will feature the original work of 16 area artists. The featured artists work in a variety of forms of painting, as well as sculpture, photography, film/video and more. A number of artists will be available to meet the public and talk about their work. Musical entertainment, light fare and beverages will be provided at the show on Saturday.

"This is a can't miss opportunity," said Pawlowski.

NOTE: You do not have to take the house tour to see the art show. You can just attend the art show, there is no admission charge.

Piks from Thursday's Chen-Arts Press Conference

Mayor Ed Pawlowski and an ebullient gathering of about 50 art lovers served up an appetizer of what attendees will see during this weekend's 1st Chen Arts Group Show at the home of Pete Lewnes, 445 - 447 N. 7th Street in Allentown (please use Liberty St. side entrance).

In conjunction with the OAPA House Tour, the Allentown Chen Arts Group is presenting "16 and a Movie," an inaugural art show on Saturday from 10-4 and Sunday from 12-2:30 on the second floor of 445-447 N. 7th Street (please use Liberty St. side entrance).

The show will feature the original work of 16 area artists. The featured artists work in a variety of forms of painting, as well as sculpture, photography, film/video and more. A number of artists will be available to meet the public and talk about their work. Musical entertainment, light fare and beverages will be provided at the show on Saturday.

"This is a can't miss opportunity," said Pawlowski.

NOTE: You do not have to take the house tour to see the art show. You can just attend the art show, there is no admission charge.

A sneak peak

Here's a very small snippet of the Allentown Chen Arts Inaugural Group Show "16 and a Movie."

A variety of different art styles and media will be represented in this show. Hope you can make it to see the entire show (and it's a big gallery space) Sat. Oct. 4th, 10am-4pm. and Sun, Oct. 5th 12pm-2:30-pm. 445-447 N. 7th St. Allentown PA.

CHARGE!

Photo-credit- Pete Lewnes

A sneak peak

Here's a very small snippet of the Allentown Chen Arts Inaugural Group Show "16 and a Movie."

A variety of different art styles and media will be represented in this show. Hope you can make it to see the entire show (and it's a big gallery space) Sat. Oct. 4th, 10am-4pm. and Sun, Oct. 5th 12pm-2:30-pm. 445-447 N. 7th St. Allentown PA.

CHARGE!

Photo-credit- Pete Lewnes

Let's Organize Our Global Community

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin have mocked Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer. Obama was 24 years old and a recent college graduate when he decided to take that $12k a year job on the south side of Chicago instead of grabbing for a 7-figure salary on Wall Street which he could have easily pocketed.

I would think Dems and R's would agree that Barack's $12k move was an admirable career choice and not one to be mocked. And the R's seem to forget that Obama went on to become a constitutional and civil rights law professor at the University of Chicago, worked in the Illinois State Legislature, and worked in the U.S. Senate where he co-authored an impressive amount of bi-partisan legislation in a comparatively short amount of time. He was elected to the US Senate in Nov. of 2004. I don't think there's anything funny about that experience and track record. But as the "Hockey Mom" Sarah Palin mocked Obama, she said that she had "actual responsibilities" in her job as Mayor ... of a town the size of Emmaus. Tee Hee. And she can also see Russia (and President Putin's plane flying over her Alaskan airspace), so hey, case closed on her foreign affairs expertise. Obama serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The R's downplay Obama's legislation. Here's some of it:

Coburn-Obama Tranparency Act- legislation to stop abuse of no-bid contracts in aftermath of disaster, included in the final Dept. of Homeland Security funding Bill.

Lugar-Obama Non Proliferation Act- a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan

Veterans Affairs Committee Bill- Obama wrote legislation to improve veteran's healthcare.

STEP UP- summer learning plan for disadvantaged youth (please see my prior posts about Obama's education plans)

Stop Fraud Act-protects low income home buyers

See here for more About Barack Obama (scroll down to ACTIONS) and here for more The New York Times > U.S. > Image > Obama’s Record in the Illinois Senate

When Obama was a young man working with poor people who had lost their jobs, he was responsible for organizing after school programs for at risk youth, job training programs, removing harmful asbestos from a housing project, and early education programs, just to name a few. He helped ordinary hardworking people organize for CHANGE as a response to the failed policies of out of touch politicians. He says that this work "taught me a lot about listening to people as opposed to coming in with a pre-determined agenda." McCain, on the other hand, has continuously voted against minimum wage increases, SCHIP, and funding for Head Start. And Palin's positions are identical to Bush and Cheney. Very scary looking, even with lipstick. She also believes that women should not have the right to choose to give birth, or not, in cases of rape and incest.

In these chaotic and troubling times, we can't think of a better quality for our next President to have than the demonstrable and documented quality Barack Obama has to reach across the aisle and bring disparate and opposing factions to common ground. Let's give Barack Obama a mandate to organize our national community and our global community.

Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa contributed to this post.

Let's Organize Our Global Community

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin have mocked Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer. Obama was 24 years old and a recent college graduate when he decided to take that $12k a year job on the south side of Chicago instead of grabbing for a 7-figure salary on Wall Street which he could have easily pocketed.

I would think Dems and R's would agree that Barack's $12k move was an admirable career choice and not one to be mocked. And the R's seem to forget that Obama went on to become a constitutional and civil rights law professor at the University of Chicago, worked in the Illinois State Legislature, and worked in the U.S. Senate where he co-authored an impressive amount of bi-partisan legislation in a comparatively short amount of time. He was elected to the US Senate in Nov. of 2004. I don't think there's anything funny about that experience and track record. But as the "Hockey Mom" Sarah Palin mocked Obama, she said that she had "actual responsibilities" in her job as Mayor ... of a town the size of Emmaus. Tee Hee. And she can also see Russia (and President Putin's plane flying over her Alaskan airspace), so hey, case closed on her foreign affairs expertise. Obama serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The R's downplay Obama's legislation. Here's some of it:

Coburn-Obama Tranparency Act- legislation to stop abuse of no-bid contracts in aftermath of disaster, included in the final Dept. of Homeland Security funding Bill.

Lugar-Obama Non Proliferation Act- a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan

Veterans Affairs Committee Bill- Obama wrote legislation to improve veteran's healthcare.

STEP UP- summer learning plan for disadvantaged youth (please see my prior posts about Obama's education plans)

Stop Fraud Act-protects low income home buyers

See here for more About Barack Obama (scroll down to ACTIONS) and here for more The New York Times > U.S. > Image > Obama’s Record in the Illinois Senate

When Obama was a young man working with poor people who had lost their jobs, he was responsible for organizing after school programs for at risk youth, job training programs, removing harmful asbestos from a housing project, and early education programs, just to name a few. He helped ordinary hardworking people organize for CHANGE as a response to the failed policies of out of touch politicians. He says that this work "taught me a lot about listening to people as opposed to coming in with a pre-determined agenda." McCain, on the other hand, has continuously voted against minimum wage increases, SCHIP, and funding for Head Start. And Palin's positions are identical to Bush and Cheney. Very scary looking, even with lipstick. She also believes that women should not have the right to choose to give birth, or not, in cases of rape and incest.

In these chaotic and troubling times, we can't think of a better quality for our next President to have than the demonstrable and documented quality Barack Obama has to reach across the aisle and bring disparate and opposing factions to common ground. Let's give Barack Obama a mandate to organize our national community and our global community.

Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa contributed to this post.

Allentown Chen-Arts (CHARGE) first group show!

The Allentown Chen Arts Group includes artists living and working in Allentown, as well as regional artists who are interested in exhibiting and selling their work in Allentown. The group includes visual artists, film makers, musicians, dancers, writers, and creative people of all ages who are interested in supporting and promoting the arts in Allentown.

The group was started in April of 2008 by Allentown artist/musician Angie Villa, who contacted people through her blog Lehigh Valley Somebody. The word spread, and many local artists came together to challenge the present notion of what defines art in Allentown. Since the closing of Open Space Gallery on Hamilton Street, there has been little opportunity for artists to show and sell their work in Allentown. The Allentown Chen Arts Group intends to have group art shows and create a thoughtful and meaningful art scene led by the artists.

The group is called “Chen Arts” because we meet for good food and conversation at the fabulous House of Chen restaurant on Hamilton St. in Allentown. We also meet monthly as a group for parties and events at artist’s studios/homes where we share slides or images of our work. In the spirit of community building we are hopeful that our group will help to promote a positive image of Allentown through the arts. Anyone is welcome to join CHARGE and be a part of a new and growing art scene in Allentown. If you are an artist interested in joining our group, please sign our guestbook or e-mail Angie Villa at Ayngie4@aol.com

Click to enlarge flyer. There will be 16 visual artists and 2 film makers at our show.

Thanks to Matt Lewis for designing the flyer. And special thanks to Pete Lewnes for hosting and organizing.

UPDATE: I fixed the flyer picture. Hope it looks better now!

Oops, if it doesn't enlarge, the small type says "In conjunction with the Old Allentown Preservation Association House Tour" Any questions, please leave a comment. Mrs. D.

Allentown Chen-Arts (CHARGE) first group show!

The Allentown Chen Arts Group includes artists living and working in Allentown, as well as regional artists who are interested in exhibiting and selling their work in Allentown. The group includes visual artists, film makers, musicians, dancers, writers, and creative people of all ages who are interested in supporting and promoting the arts in Allentown.

The group was started in April of 2008 by Allentown artist/musician Angie Villa, who contacted people through her blog Lehigh Valley Somebody. The word spread, and many local artists came together to challenge the present notion of what defines art in Allentown. Since the closing of Open Space Gallery on Hamilton Street, there has been little opportunity for artists to show and sell their work in Allentown. The Allentown Chen Arts Group intends to have group art shows and create a thoughtful and meaningful art scene led by the artists.

The group is called “Chen Arts” because we meet for good food and conversation at the fabulous House of Chen restaurant on Hamilton St. in Allentown. We also meet monthly as a group for parties and events at artist’s studios/homes where we share slides or images of our work. In the spirit of community building we are hopeful that our group will help to promote a positive image of Allentown through the arts. Anyone is welcome to join CHARGE and be a part of a new and growing art scene in Allentown. If you are an artist interested in joining our group, please sign our guestbook or e-mail Angie Villa at Ayngie4@aol.com

Click to enlarge flyer. There will be 16 visual artists and 2 film makers at our show.

Thanks to Matt Lewis for designing the flyer. And special thanks to Pete Lewnes for hosting and organizing.

UPDATE: I fixed the flyer picture. Hope it looks better now!

Oops, if it doesn't enlarge, the small type says "In conjunction with the Old Allentown Preservation Association House Tour" Any questions, please leave a comment. Mrs. D.

BOYCOTT BERNIE

Bernie O'Hare and his perpetually “number two” ranked blog “Lehigh Valley Ramblings” was dropped an eyebrow-raising two ranking positions to 4th place among Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political blogs last week.

And in a startlingly loud & clear voice, local blog readers catapulted this blog, “Lehigh Valley Somebody,” from 20th place, to #12 place, a dramatic skyrocketing of 8 ranking positions.

Looks like “Boycott Bernie” is working.

And the reason why “Boycott Bernie” is working may be best summed up in a comment at our recent “Separated at Birth” post on the topic of the shameful “Troll Parade” (http://trollparade.blogspot.com/) blog that was co-created by disbarred attorney Bernie O'Hare and practicing (for now) attorney David C. Najarian, Lynn Township Supervisor, a.k.a. “Northern Lehigh Valley Logic,” to humiliate and (hopefully) scare away a grieving father fighting for justice:

my name is pat wallace said...Mr. O'Hare's flip-flop on the Villa matter is a slap in the face to his readers, his profession, and the memory of a 25-year-old woman who just wanted to go home. After fancying himself a keeper of the torch of truth and integrity for so long, and to the extent that he eventually found himself championing the Villas' cause, this reversal in thinking and aggressive behavior is a profound obscenity. Not to mention that his apparent hop into bed with the DA-friendly Morning Call looks like a confederacy of weaklings. Anybody home, Allentown? Feel like moving even farther away. Mon Sep 15, 01:53:00 PM 2008

Thank you for Boycotting Bernie O'Hare O'Mcall's “other” blog, “Lehigh Valley Ramblings.”

“Boycotting Bernie” is the most effective way you can register your disapproval of “The Troll Parade” blog and Bernie O'Hare.

This post was written by Mr. Dottie (Bill Villa).

BOYCOTT BERNIE

Bernie O'Hare and his perpetually “number two” ranked blog “Lehigh Valley Ramblings” was dropped an eyebrow-raising two ranking positions to 4th place among Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political blogs last week.

And in a startlingly loud & clear voice, local blog readers catapulted this blog, “Lehigh Valley Somebody,” from 20th place, to #12 place, a dramatic skyrocketing of 8 ranking positions.

Looks like “Boycott Bernie” is working.

And the reason why “Boycott Bernie” is working may be best summed up in a comment at our recent “Separated at Birth” post on the topic of the shameful “Troll Parade” (http://trollparade.blogspot.com/) blog that was co-created by disbarred attorney Bernie O'Hare and practicing (for now) attorney David C. Najarian, Lynn Township Supervisor, a.k.a. “Northern Lehigh Valley Logic,” to humiliate and (hopefully) scare away a grieving father fighting for justice:

my name is pat wallace said...Mr. O'Hare's flip-flop on the Villa matter is a slap in the face to his readers, his profession, and the memory of a 25-year-old woman who just wanted to go home. After fancying himself a keeper of the torch of truth and integrity for so long, and to the extent that he eventually found himself championing the Villas' cause, this reversal in thinking and aggressive behavior is a profound obscenity. Not to mention that his apparent hop into bed with the DA-friendly Morning Call looks like a confederacy of weaklings. Anybody home, Allentown? Feel like moving even farther away. Mon Sep 15, 01:53:00 PM 2008

Thank you for Boycotting Bernie O'Hare O'Mcall's “other” blog, “Lehigh Valley Ramblings.”

“Boycotting Bernie” is the most effective way you can register your disapproval of “The Troll Parade” blog and Bernie O'Hare.

This post was written by Mr. Dottie (Bill Villa).

Sound Matters

Back on January 24, 2008, I did a post about hearing the song “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones at the supermarket and how it gave me such a pleasant JOLT while food shopping. Well guess what (and this is soooo exciting), the multi-platinum and Grammy winning producer/engineer/mixer who lovingly crafted that instantly recognizable “I Wanna Be Sedated” Ramones sound, ED STASIUM (that's Ed, pictured above) is working with me and my hubby Bill's band, The Villas, on our new and upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” http://www.edstasium.com/
http://www.villasongs.com/

Ed Stasium's first Gold Record was for “Midnight Train To Georgia,” by Gladys Knight and The (“woo woo”) Pips!

Along the way, Ed Stasium has worked with The Smithereens, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, Carly Simon, Talking Heads, Marshall Crenshaw, Soul Asylum, Living Colour, Freddy Mercury, Motor Head, The Ramones, Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemmons, Martha Reeves, Reverend Horton Heat, The Plasmatics, and our mutual pal and great NYC recording artist Richard X. Heyman (http://www.richardxheyman.com/)

LIMITED TIME ONLY: Click here to hear Ed Stasium's great work on two songs from The Villas upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” We'll keep this link up here for two days only …

http://homepage.mac.com/edstasium/villas/FileSharing73.html


Photo credit: Amy Stasium

Sound Matters

Back on January 24, 2008, I did a post about hearing the song “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones at the supermarket and how it gave me such a pleasant JOLT while food shopping. Well guess what (and this is soooo exciting), the multi-platinum and Grammy winning producer/engineer/mixer who lovingly crafted that instantly recognizable “I Wanna Be Sedated” Ramones sound, ED STASIUM (that's Ed, pictured above) is working with me and my hubby Bill's band, The Villas, on our new and upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” http://www.edstasium.com/
http://www.villasongs.com/

Ed Stasium's first Gold Record was for “Midnight Train To Georgia,” by Gladys Knight and The (“woo woo”) Pips!

Along the way, Ed Stasium has worked with The Smithereens, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, Carly Simon, Talking Heads, Marshall Crenshaw, Soul Asylum, Living Colour, Freddy Mercury, Motor Head, The Ramones, Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemmons, Martha Reeves, Reverend Horton Heat, The Plasmatics, and our mutual pal and great NYC recording artist Richard X. Heyman (http://www.richardxheyman.com/)

LIMITED TIME ONLY: Click here to hear Ed Stasium's great work on two songs from The Villas upcoming 3rd CD, “Fun Park USA!” We'll keep this link up here for two days only …

http://homepage.mac.com/edstasium/villas/FileSharing73.html


Photo credit: Amy Stasium

Separated at Birth?

Disbarred attorney Bernie O'Hare (left) and dead Senator Joe McCarthy (right) are twins. McCarthy hunted contrived "commies." O'Hare hunts contrived "trolls." Both longed to become famous and both tried to achieve fame by baiting, bullying, lying, scare tactics, and quashing democratically healthy dissent. TV broadcaster and writer Edward R. Murrow was the first to publicly challenge the opportunistic, manipulative, dishonest, and seemingly untouchable Senator Joe McCarthy, figuratively blowing McCarthy's head off in back-to-back weekly episodes of his acclaimed TV news program, "See It Now." Murrow's courage and skill in dissecting McCarthy's twisted pathology on live television opened the flood gates of criticism and eventual Senate censure of McCarthy who died of alcoholism.

Bill Villa is currently dissecting and exposing Bernie O'Hare's twisted pathology at Bernie's new blog, The Troll Parade

"See It Now," before it goes POOF.

This post co-written by Mr. and Mrs. Dottie

Separated at Birth?

Disbarred attorney Bernie O'Hare (left) and dead Senator Joe McCarthy (right) are twins. McCarthy hunted contrived "commies." O'Hare hunts contrived "trolls." Both longed to become famous and both tried to achieve fame by baiting, bullying, lying, scare tactics, and quashing democratically healthy dissent. TV broadcaster and writer Edward R. Murrow was the first to publicly challenge the opportunistic, manipulative, dishonest, and seemingly untouchable Senator Joe McCarthy, figuratively blowing McCarthy's head off in back-to-back weekly episodes of his acclaimed TV news program, "See It Now." Murrow's courage and skill in dissecting McCarthy's twisted pathology on live television opened the flood gates of criticism and eventual Senate censure of McCarthy who died of alcoholism.

Bill Villa is currently dissecting and exposing Bernie O'Hare's twisted pathology at Bernie's new blog, The Troll Parade

"See It Now," before it goes POOF.

This post co-written by Mr. and Mrs. Dottie

Sheena's Garden

If you're attending the 100th Anniversary of West Park in Allentown today, or the next time you're at West Park, stop by Sheena's Garden and say hi. Sheena's Garden is located right next to the band shell stage on the north side and it's also right next to where Sheena used to park her VW Jetta Trek; Sheena's mom and 2 of Sheena's 3 brothers live nearby. Sheena's memorial tree and plaque were arranged with The City by Sheena family friend Greg Palmer. It's also Greg who plants and maintains the beautiful Sheena Villa Memorial Garden at West Park. It's a beautiful tribute to a wonderful girl who is deeply missed by the many people who will always love Sheena Villa.

Sheena's Garden

If you're attending the 100th Anniversary of West Park in Allentown today, or the next time you're at West Park, stop by Sheena's Garden and say hi. Sheena's Garden is located right next to the band shell stage on the north side and it's also right next to where Sheena used to park her VW Jetta Trek; Sheena's mom and 2 of Sheena's 3 brothers live nearby. Sheena's memorial tree and plaque were arranged with The City by Sheena family friend Greg Palmer. It's also Greg who plants and maintains the beautiful Sheena Villa Memorial Garden at West Park. It's a beautiful tribute to a wonderful girl who is deeply missed by the many people who will always love Sheena Villa.

Poverty, population, and the ASD

I spend a lot of time talking to moms (and dads) on the playground at my son's school. One thing I love about Muhlenberg Elementary in west Allentown is that most kids walk to school, or are driven by parents, so kids and parents can stay on the playground after school and socialize. It is a true community school. Some days we are there till almost dinner time, unless we have a piano lesson or other activity to attend. We don't have much of a yard, so I am glad my son can run around like a nut for a while, play some ball, or climb on the equipment. Saves some wear and tear on our furniture and walls, plus, kids need exercise.

I don't know the exact numbers, but according to a high ranking PTA official, this year Muhlenberg has over 100 new students. The art teacher has lost her classroom and must go room to room with a cart. (I know what that's like since I did it for many years when I taught art in the ASD). Muhlenberg has two portable classrooms. A teacher has told me that they need more ESL teachers. (English as a second language) The majority of kids in my son's class are Hispanic. I don't know how many need ESL.

If you go to the ASD's website and read the section of the comprehensive plan called "population trends" http://www.allentownsd.org/Facilities/PDF/5_Population.pdf the data does not show a current notable increase in population. This does not make sense. Here is an interesting statistic from the plan. "Between 1990-2000 the general population only grew 1.5%, housing modestly grew 0.7%, but public school enrollments increased 21.5%. " Okay, so we have an increase in students, but not much of an increase in general population or housing. What is going on, and how is the ASD addressing this? How is the city addressing it?

Over at the informative Mapping Allentown blog, Squirrel provides maps, charts, and data regarding the population in Allentown. It's interesting to look at the map that shows the percentage of kids receiving free or reduced lunch in the ASD. And this data is from a few years ago. Seems like most families qualify for free or reduced lunch. If you compare Allentown with it's surrounding districts, it is quite shocking. Allentown looks like the poverty epicenter of the area.

In 2000, the poverty rate in the 18101 zip code was 40.2%. In the 18104 zip code only 5.9%. This huge gap between center city and the west end makes it appear like Allentown is divided into two cities, the haves and the have nots. See this chart:

DataPlace Beta: Data Profile for 18104, 18103, 18102 and 18101 (thanks to Squirrel) I am interested in knowing what the center city poverty rate is for 2008. I am sure it is much higher now.

The district is building a new elementary school, so maybe that will alleviate some of the over crowding, and the middle schools are being renovated and expanded to accomodate some of this growth, but I think something must be done about low income housing in Allentown. Row houses should not be allowed to be converted into several apartments.

Poverty and increased student enrollment seem to be the big issues for the ASD and for the city, so what is being done about it? Are city officials and the ASD working together on addressing these important issues?

If you have a child in the ASD I would recommend being an advocate for your child, ask questions, and get involved as a volunteer. Kids come first.

Poverty, population, and the ASD

I spend a lot of time talking to moms (and dads) on the playground at my son's school. One thing I love about Muhlenberg Elementary in west Allentown is that most kids walk to school, or are driven by parents, so kids and parents can stay on the playground after school and socialize. It is a true community school. Some days we are there till almost dinner time, unless we have a piano lesson or other activity to attend. We don't have much of a yard, so I am glad my son can run around like a nut for a while, play some ball, or climb on the equipment. Saves some wear and tear on our furniture and walls, plus, kids need exercise.

I don't know the exact numbers, but according to a high ranking PTA official, this year Muhlenberg has over 100 new students. The art teacher has lost her classroom and must go room to room with a cart. (I know what that's like since I did it for many years when I taught art in the ASD). Muhlenberg has two portable classrooms. A teacher has told me that they need more ESL teachers. (English as a second language) The majority of kids in my son's class are Hispanic. I don't know how many need ESL.

If you go to the ASD's website and read the section of the comprehensive plan called "population trends" http://www.allentownsd.org/Facilities/PDF/5_Population.pdf the data does not show a current notable increase in population. This does not make sense. Here is an interesting statistic from the plan. "Between 1990-2000 the general population only grew 1.5%, housing modestly grew 0.7%, but public school enrollments increased 21.5%. " Okay, so we have an increase in students, but not much of an increase in general population or housing. What is going on, and how is the ASD addressing this? How is the city addressing it?

Over at the informative Mapping Allentown blog, Squirrel provides maps, charts, and data regarding the population in Allentown. It's interesting to look at the map that shows the percentage of kids receiving free or reduced lunch in the ASD. And this data is from a few years ago. Seems like most families qualify for free or reduced lunch. If you compare Allentown with it's surrounding districts, it is quite shocking. Allentown looks like the poverty epicenter of the area.

In 2000, the poverty rate in the 18101 zip code was 40.2%. In the 18104 zip code only 5.9%. This huge gap between center city and the west end makes it appear like Allentown is divided into two cities, the haves and the have nots. See this chart:

DataPlace Beta: Data Profile for 18104, 18103, 18102 and 18101 (thanks to Squirrel) I am interested in knowing what the center city poverty rate is for 2008. I am sure it is much higher now.

The district is building a new elementary school, so maybe that will alleviate some of the over crowding, and the middle schools are being renovated and expanded to accomodate some of this growth, but I think something must be done about low income housing in Allentown. Row houses should not be allowed to be converted into several apartments.

Poverty and increased student enrollment seem to be the big issues for the ASD and for the city, so what is being done about it? Are city officials and the ASD working together on addressing these important issues?

If you have a child in the ASD I would recommend being an advocate for your child, ask questions, and get involved as a volunteer. Kids come first.