The Morning Call Gives Hate a Forum

At our recent post, “We Like Downtown Allentown,” an Allentown Mom comment-copied Mrs. Dottie and me on this communication she had sent to The Morning Call …

"Hello, I am writing to the paper as a mother, stepmother, and concerned resident of Allentown. My adolescent stepdaughter was doing research for a school paper on internet communication, which led her to the comment [Forum] sections of many of your newspaper stories. Needless to say, as a child of partial Hispanic heritage, she was devastated. We reported abuse on several comments which were not removed. I have known of and heard about the racist, ignorant comments on The Morning Call [web] site, but I have now seen first hand how it can affect young individuals. I ask you to speak to your editor, to consider the number of relevant, intelligent comments attached to your articles, and consider the impact of these words on the children of Allentown. Or, as they are known in your reader forums: Animals, stinkin' ricans, pork chops, bean eaters, pieces of trash. It is disgusting!”

Our Allentown Mom did get a response from The Morning Call, which in our experience is surprising, and encouraging, on the surface anyway.

Vicki Mayk, The Morning Call’s Director of Community Relations & Communications got back with this:

“I will certainly pass your comments along to our online editors. I apologize that your daughter found these comments while visiting The Morning Call’s Web site. We are aware that such comments do get posted on our site. Unfortunately, an outside vendor is responsible for the posting – and the removal -- of comments. I tell you this, not because I am saying that we are not responsible, but to explain why it takes time for such comments to be removed. I am sorry that they are not always removed from the site in a timely fashion – and I agree that these are unacceptable.”

Morning Call Online Producer Ted Williams replied:

“Can I ask to what articles you refer? Unfortunately, your complaint is very, very common. We seem to have people who just want to start trouble, and it’s difficult to control. What we will do is find the comments and pass on the user name to the vendor, who will ban them and warn them. But in all honesty, on today’s Web, it’s very hard to keep such people off the site. There are ways around any blocks. We’re very sorry for your stepdaughter having to see this. I think we all realize the people who make such comments are the people who have real problems, but that doesn’t make the effect of what they say any easier to take. We will do all we can to address this particular case [emphasis added by Mr. Dottie]. We can hope that this person will realize the hurt they can cause by saying such disgusting things.”

Nice sentiments from Vicki and Ted. But the Allentown Mom’s letter to the newspaper obviously didn’t change anything at its Hate Forum. And for every “Allentown Mom” who is offended and writes to the newspaper, there may be thousands of Forum readers who are equally offended but don’t bother writing.

Here at “Lehigh Valley Somebody,” we can't think of a bigger roadblock to Allentown "Moving Forward Together" than the bigotry, intolerance, xenophobia, and hatred that exists in peoples' hearts and minds.

And while racism can't be abolished, that these idiots' vile bile is given an unbridled FORUM in our town's monopoly newspaper is outrageous and totally unacceptable.

But apparently HATE SELLS, so it remains online at The Morning Call Forum.

According to Morning Call columnist/blogger, Bill White:

"The tremendous traffic on our Web site is a selling point for advertisers and future subscribers. And the [Forum] comments, warts and all, attract a lot of those clicks."

Readers, we encourage you to read the full text of Bill White’s rationalizations and justifications for the free-flowing hatred at The Morning Call Forum in his “Blogging with Bill White” post entitled, "Cockroaches," where one can’t help but wonder if Mr. White is propagandizing in a quasi-official capacity for the newspaper. But what's most illuminating are the comments at Bill White’s “Cockroaches” post from local bloggers friskily denouncing the hatred on The Morning Call Forum.

Ah yes, those were the days ... the days before "Valley Blogosphere" and "Blogger Tuesday" at The Morning Call Forum.

Q. Whatever happened to those vocal, Morning Call dissenting local bloggers who used to champion STOPPING THE HATE at The Morning Call Forum?

Well, in the opinion of this blog, they sold out, and became compliant members of "Valley Blogosphere" at The Morning Call Forum. Yep.

As you may have noticed too, since the introduction of “Valley Blogosphere” and “Blogger Tuesday" at The Morning Call Forum (both created by Morning Call Editorial & Opinions VP Glenn Kranzley, with consultancy input from “Valley Blogosphere” blogger B.O'Hare), all previously healthy dissent in our local blogosphere against The Morning Call (on a variety of relevant issues) has vanished. GONE. POOF.

Why? Simple. “Don’t bite the hand that feeds your ego.”

You see, that same "tremendous traffic" at The Morning Call's website that Bill White tells us "attracts advertisers" appears to have also gotten some previously Morning Call dissenting local bloggers just absolutely "A-Quiver" at the thought of this “tremendous traffic” possibly reading and responding to their blog musings and ramblings which would be accessible via The Morning Call’s website Forum.

In a nutshell, as these local bloggers started seeing their pictures on The Morning Call’s website, and in The Morning Call "newspaper" every “Blogger Tuesday,” they also started “seeing stars” in their bathroom mirrors every morning: “Hey you, you could be the next Bill White!"

With "Valley Blogosphere," and "Blogger Tuesday," in one diabolically smooth move, Glenn Kranzley quashed all local blogosphere dissent against The Morning Call, while simultaneously covering the 30 or so recently terminated (and salaried) Morning Call reporters with A-Quiver local bloggers who were now eagerly and compliantly writing for The Morning Call ... for FREE.

And what about that previously dissented against HATE at The Morning Call Forum, which “Valley Blogosphere” and "Blogger Tuesday" were now a part of? Well ... um ... er … you know … that (alleged) Forum Hate wasn't all that much of a big deal anymore now was it?

Morning Call Dissenters Become
Morning Call Cheerleaders & Apologists

The sad fact is, our A-Quiver local bloggers didn’t want to even discuss the hate at The Morning Call Forum anymore, let alone consider this thought-leader blog’s concept of boycotting The Morning Call’s new local blogger "spotlight" products.

And this is painfully evident in an August 2008 blog discussion involving some formerly dissenting local bloggers who had been magically transformed into Morning Call cheerleaders and apologists by having been “honored” with inclusion as Morning Call “Valley Blogosphere” bloggers. The blog post was aptly titled "Should an honor be questioned?" and it is one heck of an eye-opener, as we’re sure you’ll see when you read through it.

There’s another reason why we ask that you read through the blog post "Should an honor be questioned?" Editor's Note: "Inclusion by Michael Donovan" blog author, Michael Donovan, has rigged it so that our link won't work. Should you find the blog post, you'll probably not be able to tell that Donovan deleted all the comments from this blog post because he doesn't want you to read them.

Near the end of the comments, I ask a simple and reasonable question about The Morning Call Hate Forum that I’ve been trying to get an answer on since August 2008.

As you will see in the blog post "Should an honor be questioned?" my reasonable question is totally ignored by the A-Quiver bloggers in the discussion, and of course it’s been totally ignored by The Morning Call too.

Here’s my question, which was also sent as an email to Glenn Kranzley and Ted Williams on August 7, 2008:

Mr. Kranzley and Mr. Williams:

The Morning Call is making registration a requirement for commenters to participate in its new "Sounding Board" civil discourse Forum [at your web site].

Q. Could The Morning Call implement "registration required" at its "Forum" too? This would, one would think, pre-eliminate and deter a significant percentage of the "hate speech" at the Forum, by requiring commenters at both Sounding Board and the Forum to comment as themselves-- i.e., any hate speech spewing would have a real name (and some accountability) attached to it.

Apparently, the "registration required" technology is there for "Sounding Board."

Could the same technology be applied to the Forum to eliminate or greatly reduce the racism, misogyny, and other forms of hate speech at the Morning Call Forum?

I'm still waiting for an answer.

Maybe someone else should ask the question?

And if the answer is “no,” well then what CAN be done to eliminate the Hate Speech at The Morning Call Forum? Because the only people not bothered by it, it seems, are Glenn Kranzley, Bill White, the racists who are posting it, the advertisers who are endorsing it, and the “Valley Blogosphere” bloggers who are ignoring it.

I'm confident the majority of us want the racist HATE at The Morning Call Forum GONE. POOF. ASAP.

So let's make that happen, what do you say?

This post was written by Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa.

READ > RELATED POST

The Morning Call Gives Hate a Forum

At our recent post, “We Like Downtown Allentown,” an Allentown Mom comment-copied Mrs. Dottie and me on this communication she had sent to The Morning Call …

"Hello, I am writing to the paper as a mother, stepmother, and concerned resident of Allentown. My adolescent stepdaughter was doing research for a school paper on internet communication, which led her to the comment [Forum] sections of many of your newspaper stories. Needless to say, as a child of partial Hispanic heritage, she was devastated. We reported abuse on several comments which were not removed. I have known of and heard about the racist, ignorant comments on The Morning Call [web] site, but I have now seen first hand how it can affect young individuals. I ask you to speak to your editor, to consider the number of relevant, intelligent comments attached to your articles, and consider the impact of these words on the children of Allentown. Or, as they are known in your reader forums: Animals, stinkin' ricans, pork chops, bean eaters, pieces of trash. It is disgusting!”

Our Allentown Mom did get a response from The Morning Call, which in our experience is surprising, and encouraging, on the surface anyway.

Vicki Mayk, The Morning Call’s Director of Community Relations & Communications got back with this:

“I will certainly pass your comments along to our online editors. I apologize that your daughter found these comments while visiting The Morning Call’s Web site. We are aware that such comments do get posted on our site. Unfortunately, an outside vendor is responsible for the posting – and the removal -- of comments. I tell you this, not because I am saying that we are not responsible, but to explain why it takes time for such comments to be removed. I am sorry that they are not always removed from the site in a timely fashion – and I agree that these are unacceptable.”

Morning Call Online Producer Ted Williams replied:

“Can I ask to what articles you refer? Unfortunately, your complaint is very, very common. We seem to have people who just want to start trouble, and it’s difficult to control. What we will do is find the comments and pass on the user name to the vendor, who will ban them and warn them. But in all honesty, on today’s Web, it’s very hard to keep such people off the site. There are ways around any blocks. We’re very sorry for your stepdaughter having to see this. I think we all realize the people who make such comments are the people who have real problems, but that doesn’t make the effect of what they say any easier to take. We will do all we can to address this particular case [emphasis added by Mr. Dottie]. We can hope that this person will realize the hurt they can cause by saying such disgusting things.”

Nice sentiments from Vicki and Ted. But the Allentown Mom’s letter to the newspaper obviously didn’t change anything at its Hate Forum. And for every “Allentown Mom” who is offended and writes to the newspaper, there may be thousands of Forum readers who are equally offended but don’t bother writing.

Here at “Lehigh Valley Somebody,” we can't think of a bigger roadblock to Allentown "Moving Forward Together" than the bigotry, intolerance, xenophobia, and hatred that exists in peoples' hearts and minds.

And while racism can't be abolished, that these idiots' vile bile is given an unbridled FORUM in our town's monopoly newspaper is outrageous and totally unacceptable.

But apparently HATE SELLS, so it remains online at The Morning Call Forum.

According to Morning Call columnist/blogger, Bill White:

"The tremendous traffic on our Web site is a selling point for advertisers and future subscribers. And the [Forum] comments, warts and all, attract a lot of those clicks."

Readers, we encourage you to read the full text of Bill White’s rationalizations and justifications for the free-flowing hatred at The Morning Call Forum in his “Blogging with Bill White” post entitled, "Cockroaches," where one can’t help but wonder if Mr. White is propagandizing in a quasi-official capacity for the newspaper. But what's most illuminating are the comments at Bill White’s “Cockroaches” post from local bloggers friskily denouncing the hatred on The Morning Call Forum.

Ah yes, those were the days ... the days before "Valley Blogosphere" and "Blogger Tuesday" at The Morning Call Forum.

Q. Whatever happened to those vocal, Morning Call dissenting local bloggers who used to champion STOPPING THE HATE at The Morning Call Forum?

Well, in the opinion of this blog, they sold out, and became compliant members of "Valley Blogosphere" at The Morning Call Forum. Yep.

As you may have noticed too, since the introduction of “Valley Blogosphere” and “Blogger Tuesday" at The Morning Call Forum (both created by Morning Call Editorial & Opinions VP Glenn Kranzley, with consultancy input from “Valley Blogosphere” blogger B.O'Hare), all previously healthy dissent in our local blogosphere against The Morning Call (on a variety of relevant issues) has vanished. GONE. POOF.

Why? Simple. “Don’t bite the hand that feeds your ego.”

You see, that same "tremendous traffic" at The Morning Call's website that Bill White tells us "attracts advertisers" appears to have also gotten some previously Morning Call dissenting local bloggers just absolutely "A-Quiver" at the thought of this “tremendous traffic” possibly reading and responding to their blog musings and ramblings which would be accessible via The Morning Call’s website Forum.

In a nutshell, as these local bloggers started seeing their pictures on The Morning Call’s website, and in The Morning Call "newspaper" every “Blogger Tuesday,” they also started “seeing stars” in their bathroom mirrors every morning: “Hey you, you could be the next Bill White!"

With "Valley Blogosphere," and "Blogger Tuesday," in one diabolically smooth move, Glenn Kranzley quashed all local blogosphere dissent against The Morning Call, while simultaneously covering the 30 or so recently terminated (and salaried) Morning Call reporters with A-Quiver local bloggers who were now eagerly and compliantly writing for The Morning Call ... for FREE.

And what about that previously dissented against HATE at The Morning Call Forum, which “Valley Blogosphere” and "Blogger Tuesday" were now a part of? Well ... um ... er … you know … that (alleged) Forum Hate wasn't all that much of a big deal anymore now was it?

Morning Call Dissenters Become
Morning Call Cheerleaders & Apologists

The sad fact is, our A-Quiver local bloggers didn’t want to even discuss the hate at The Morning Call Forum anymore, let alone consider this thought-leader blog’s concept of boycotting The Morning Call’s new local blogger "spotlight" products.

And this is painfully evident in an August 2008 blog discussion involving some formerly dissenting local bloggers who had been magically transformed into Morning Call cheerleaders and apologists by having been “honored” with inclusion as Morning Call “Valley Blogosphere” bloggers. The blog post was aptly titled "Should an honor be questioned?" and it is one heck of an eye-opener, as we’re sure you’ll see when you read through it.

There’s another reason why we ask that you read through the blog post "Should an honor be questioned?" Editor's Note: "Inclusion by Michael Donovan" blog author, Michael Donovan, has rigged it so that our link won't work. Should you find the blog post, you'll probably not be able to tell that Donovan deleted all the comments from this blog post because he doesn't want you to read them.

Near the end of the comments, I ask a simple and reasonable question about The Morning Call Hate Forum that I’ve been trying to get an answer on since August 2008.

As you will see in the blog post "Should an honor be questioned?" my reasonable question is totally ignored by the A-Quiver bloggers in the discussion, and of course it’s been totally ignored by The Morning Call too.

Here’s my question, which was also sent as an email to Glenn Kranzley and Ted Williams on August 7, 2008:

Mr. Kranzley and Mr. Williams:

The Morning Call is making registration a requirement for commenters to participate in its new "Sounding Board" civil discourse Forum [at your web site].

Q. Could The Morning Call implement "registration required" at its "Forum" too? This would, one would think, pre-eliminate and deter a significant percentage of the "hate speech" at the Forum, by requiring commenters at both Sounding Board and the Forum to comment as themselves-- i.e., any hate speech spewing would have a real name (and some accountability) attached to it.

Apparently, the "registration required" technology is there for "Sounding Board."

Could the same technology be applied to the Forum to eliminate or greatly reduce the racism, misogyny, and other forms of hate speech at the Morning Call Forum?

I'm still waiting for an answer.

Maybe someone else should ask the question?

And if the answer is “no,” well then what CAN be done to eliminate the Hate Speech at The Morning Call Forum? Because the only people not bothered by it, it seems, are Glenn Kranzley, Bill White, the racists who are posting it, the advertisers who are endorsing it, and the “Valley Blogosphere” bloggers who are ignoring it.

I'm confident the majority of us want the racist HATE at The Morning Call Forum GONE. POOF. ASAP.

So let's make that happen, what do you say?

This post was written by Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa.

READ > RELATED POST

A New Era

Seeing (on tv) close to two million people gathered at the mall in Washington DC was moving. It must have been really exciting to be there. What stood out to me in Obama's Inaugural Address was the message that we are all equal, and that in these tough times he is summoning all Americans to work together in a "new era of responsibility." In his speech, which was informed by history but made his own, he asked us to return to the values of hard work, family, and community that America once stood for. He is confident that tough challenges will be met and America is ready to lead once more. The speech was somewhat somber, but still very powerful. He stressed the importance of extending a hand to the world, especially the Islamic world. The Bush era is over, and so is the Reagan era when less government was the mantra. Now we need "more effective" govt. He mentioned the importance of science, and stopping global warming. It feels like we are coming out of the Dark Ages! Finally!

With Obama's approval rating at 83%, and that was before the inauguration, I certainly hope that Republicans will not put partisanship before principle. Even though Obama has said he will be focusing on moving forward, I would like to see an investigation and trial regarding war crimes committed by the Bush administration. I think it's important to cleanse the country of the bad things done by the prior administration if we are going to be respected again around the world. And what about the scary possibility of future administrations repeating what Bush did (ie torture), because he got away with it?

I am hopeful. Even though there are so many businesses closing due to the recession, record home foreclosures, a health care crisis, and we may even be in for a depression, I have confidence in Obama's leadership, and in the American people to rise to the challenge. So, let's get to work, together.

(Morning Call Forum post coming soon)

A New Era

Seeing (on tv) close to two million people gathered at the mall in Washington DC was moving. It must have been really exciting to be there. What stood out to me in Obama's Inaugural Address was the message that we are all equal, and that in these tough times he is summoning all Americans to work together in a "new era of responsibility." In his speech, which was informed by history but made his own, he asked us to return to the values of hard work, family, and community that America once stood for. He is confident that tough challenges will be met and America is ready to lead once more. The speech was somewhat somber, but still very powerful. He stressed the importance of extending a hand to the world, especially the Islamic world. The Bush era is over, and so is the Reagan era when less government was the mantra. Now we need "more effective" govt. He mentioned the importance of science, and stopping global warming. It feels like we are coming out of the Dark Ages! Finally!

With Obama's approval rating at 83%, and that was before the inauguration, I certainly hope that Republicans will not put partisanship before principle. Even though Obama has said he will be focusing on moving forward, I would like to see an investigation and trial regarding war crimes committed by the Bush administration. I think it's important to cleanse the country of the bad things done by the prior administration if we are going to be respected again around the world. And what about the scary possibility of future administrations repeating what Bush did (ie torture), because he got away with it?

I am hopeful. Even though there are so many businesses closing due to the recession, record home foreclosures, a health care crisis, and we may even be in for a depression, I have confidence in Obama's leadership, and in the American people to rise to the challenge. So, let's get to work, together.

(Morning Call Forum post coming soon)

Mayor Pawlowski Books Interview with LV Somebody

Readers, our promised post on The Morning Call Forum is coming soon ... but we interrupt this program to announce that Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski (the recipient of a whopping 59% popular vote mandate in the 2005 election) has agreed to a Q&A interview with Lehigh Valley Somebody, one of the Top 20 Most Influential Political Blogs in Pennsylvania, to help kick-off his re-election campaign.

Per our gracious and popular (59%!) Mayor, you are cordially invited to SUBMIT QUESTIONS for his Q&A interview which we will relay to the Mayor.

Feel free to ask Mayor Pawlowski anything you like, in a comment here.

LV Somebody will compile your questions (and we'll have some too) and present them to Mayor Pawlowski for his consideration ASAP.

*** UPDATE, JANUARY 31: Popular (59% Mandate!) Allentown Mayor Pawlowski's people just contacted our people (jealous?) Mayor Pawlowski's answers to Lehigh Valley Somebody's Reader Questions will be here "within 2-3 days," and we'll have 'em posted in a new post ASAP after we get 'em!  

Mayor Pawlowski Books Interview with LV Somebody

Readers, our promised post on The Morning Call Forum is coming soon ... but we interrupt this program to announce that Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski (the recipient of a whopping 59% popular vote mandate in the 2005 election) has agreed to a Q&A interview with Lehigh Valley Somebody, one of the Top 20 Most Influential Political Blogs in Pennsylvania, to help kick-off his re-election campaign.

Per our gracious and popular (59%!) Mayor, you are cordially invited to SUBMIT QUESTIONS for his Q&A interview which we will relay to the Mayor.

Feel free to ask Mayor Pawlowski anything you like, in a comment here.

LV Somebody will compile your questions (and we'll have some too) and present them to Mayor Pawlowski for his consideration ASAP.

*** UPDATE, JANUARY 31: Popular (59% Mandate!) Allentown Mayor Pawlowski's people just contacted our people (jealous?) Mayor Pawlowski's answers to Lehigh Valley Somebody's Reader Questions will be here "within 2-3 days," and we'll have 'em posted in a new post ASAP after we get 'em!  

We Like Downtown Allentown

Bill and I like to visit downtown Allentown, especially Hamilton St. and 7th St. We live in N. Allentown not too far from the downtown. Recently I spent some time at 9th and Hamilton during the Chen Arts Show at the Butz Corporate Center. It's a beautiful modern building with a great view of the street. Over 200 people visited the art show during the week it was open. It was an exciting event! There's a cool video at http://www.chenarts.blogspot.com/

Here are some of the outstanding downtown places we have visited recently: We like The Brew Works for dinner, House of Chen, The Bay Leaf , and the fab Deli Plaza for lunch and back for dinner sometimes! We have visited the Farr Lofts and they are really cool. We have been to Yodi's art studio on Hamilton. We have been to The Caring Place. Bill's sister owns a store on Hamilton Street. And our wonderful eye doctor Nancy Perez is on Hamilton. We recently sat in the balcony of Symphony Hall for the Lehigh Valley Christmas Show(I know that's off of Hamilton), and we go to the Liberty Bell Museum every year to see "Pip the Mouse." We visited Art and Soul Tattoo Parlor and Gallery, where we ran into Patrick Villa who was attending a skateboarding event. (See photo of me and a sweaty Patrick at the sidebar) The Villas have performed at Croc Rock and the Sterling Hotel. We have visited the Musselman Ctr. for the Arts (Antonio Salemme Foundation gallery), and toured 808 Hamilton, which, hopefully, could turn out to be Allentown's new "Open Space Gallery," which was once housed at 808, wouldn't that be deja vu cool!

Hamilton St. is kinda quiet on weekends and evenings, but 7th St. is really hopping. There seems to be a lot of new small businesses opening on 7th. Gianni had his hair cut at one of the hip barber shops on a Sunday afternoon and boy were those barbers busy! Pete Lewnes's house on 7th is really cool, and his renovations are spectacular. The first Chen Arts Show was held at his house during The Old Allentown House Tour. Mayor Pawlowski spoke at the press conference, and I got to pose for a picture with the mayor! 7th St is very ethnic and vibrant. It's a bit grittier than Hamilton but we love the humanity.

Mohamed at Deli Plaza on Hamilton (a Chen artist), is so friendly and accomodating. And he makes the best soup I have ever tasted. Everything is always fresh and made to order. Jenny and the House of Chen crew are tops, the food is great and their prices are very reasonable. We always enjoy seeing Mike Fegley (Mike used to be our neighbor) at the fab Brew Works. Sure beats the "faux downtowns" at the Promenade or the LV Mall where some people are mad to see ya and have that "get outta the way of my weekend" attitude.

I know that we can't just ignore Allentown's problems: the crime, the gangs, the poverty, and the homelessness. I taught in the ASD so I have seen children growing up in poverty. But I think if people from suburbia and the west end would visit downtown regularly, get to know some of the business owners, and the people who now live there, then their perception of downtown Allentown would change. I am hopeful that our downtown will continue to improve. I hope more events, like The Chen Arts Group Show "Momentum" can be held there. I was disappointed in the lights on the Christmas tree at PPL Plaza. I think they could have been much more spectacular. So let's light up the downtown with people!

We Like Downtown Allentown

Bill and I like to visit downtown Allentown, especially Hamilton St. and 7th St. We live in N. Allentown not too far from the downtown. Recently I spent some time at 9th and Hamilton during the Chen Arts Show at the Butz Corporate Center. It's a beautiful modern building with a great view of the street. Over 200 people visited the art show during the week it was open. It was an exciting event! There's a cool video at http://www.chenarts.blogspot.com/

Here are some of the outstanding downtown places we have visited recently: We like The Brew Works for dinner, House of Chen, The Bay Leaf , and the fab Deli Plaza for lunch and back for dinner sometimes! We have visited the Farr Lofts and they are really cool. We have been to Yodi's art studio on Hamilton. We have been to The Caring Place. Bill's sister owns a store on Hamilton Street. And our wonderful eye doctor Nancy Perez is on Hamilton. We recently sat in the balcony of Symphony Hall for the Lehigh Valley Christmas Show(I know that's off of Hamilton), and we go to the Liberty Bell Museum every year to see "Pip the Mouse." We visited Art and Soul Tattoo Parlor and Gallery, where we ran into Patrick Villa who was attending a skateboarding event. (See photo of me and a sweaty Patrick at the sidebar) The Villas have performed at Croc Rock and the Sterling Hotel. We have visited the Musselman Ctr. for the Arts (Antonio Salemme Foundation gallery), and toured 808 Hamilton, which, hopefully, could turn out to be Allentown's new "Open Space Gallery," which was once housed at 808, wouldn't that be deja vu cool!

Hamilton St. is kinda quiet on weekends and evenings, but 7th St. is really hopping. There seems to be a lot of new small businesses opening on 7th. Gianni had his hair cut at one of the hip barber shops on a Sunday afternoon and boy were those barbers busy! Pete Lewnes's house on 7th is really cool, and his renovations are spectacular. The first Chen Arts Show was held at his house during The Old Allentown House Tour. Mayor Pawlowski spoke at the press conference, and I got to pose for a picture with the mayor! 7th St is very ethnic and vibrant. It's a bit grittier than Hamilton but we love the humanity.

Mohamed at Deli Plaza on Hamilton (a Chen artist), is so friendly and accomodating. And he makes the best soup I have ever tasted. Everything is always fresh and made to order. Jenny and the House of Chen crew are tops, the food is great and their prices are very reasonable. We always enjoy seeing Mike Fegley (Mike used to be our neighbor) at the fab Brew Works. Sure beats the "faux downtowns" at the Promenade or the LV Mall where some people are mad to see ya and have that "get outta the way of my weekend" attitude.

I know that we can't just ignore Allentown's problems: the crime, the gangs, the poverty, and the homelessness. I taught in the ASD so I have seen children growing up in poverty. But I think if people from suburbia and the west end would visit downtown regularly, get to know some of the business owners, and the people who now live there, then their perception of downtown Allentown would change. I am hopeful that our downtown will continue to improve. I hope more events, like The Chen Arts Group Show "Momentum" can be held there. I was disappointed in the lights on the Christmas tree at PPL Plaza. I think they could have been much more spectacular. So let's light up the downtown with people!

Gotta See Milk!

Bravo to the 19th St. Theatre in Allentown for showing the movie "Milk." I have not seen it yet, but plan on seeing it as soon as we can get a babysitter! Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, who in 1977 became the first openly gay elected official from California. I have read that the movie is more about a movement than a candidate and that Milk fought not just for gay rights but for human rights. He was an outspoken man who had a great love for the city of San Francisco, he had faith in people, he defended gay school teachers, was a community organizer, and an activist. I think this film is important because it deals with the details of politics at a local level, something we don't usually see in a major motion picture.

It is sad that in 2009, 30 years after Milk, we are still dealing with the same issues, and gay rights is still a matter of debate (Proposition 8). But Milk was an agent for change and for hope and I think the fact that this movie is coming out now is very significant. And because of Harvey Milk and how he has inspired others, we are getting a little closer to his vision of equality.

Gotta See Milk!

Bravo to the 19th St. Theatre in Allentown for showing the movie "Milk." I have not seen it yet, but plan on seeing it as soon as we can get a babysitter! Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, who in 1977 became the first openly gay elected official from California. I have read that the movie is more about a movement than a candidate and that Milk fought not just for gay rights but for human rights. He was an outspoken man who had a great love for the city of San Francisco, he had faith in people, he defended gay school teachers, was a community organizer, and an activist. I think this film is important because it deals with the details of politics at a local level, something we don't usually see in a major motion picture.

It is sad that in 2009, 30 years after Milk, we are still dealing with the same issues, and gay rights is still a matter of debate (Proposition 8). But Milk was an agent for change and for hope and I think the fact that this movie is coming out now is very significant. And because of Harvey Milk and how he has inspired others, we are getting a little closer to his vision of equality.

It's Somebody's 1st Anniversary!

Wow, it's been one year already since our inaugural post on January 1, 2008! Here is the picture I tried to install back then but couldn't figure out how to do it. Okay, so we're not gonna waste time with any "Best Of" or "Worst Of" The Year lists. We just wanted to say thanks for reading and commenting at our blog. It's been fun communicating with you, and in 2008 this blog greatly facilitated me in reaching out to other artists and getting The Allentown Chen Arts Group (CHARGE) rolling forward. It all started with a conversation between "Lehigh Valley Lexicon" Sarina and me in our local blogosphere. That was the spark that ignited a successful independent arts movement in Allentown that now has some serious momentum-in-progress. It's rewarding being part of two blogs, this one, and the new Allentown Chen Arts Group (CHARGE) blog, that actually achieve positive, quality of life progress for our community-- instead of whining about all that's "wrong" with Allentown politically, as so many of our local blogs do daily (yawn).

2008 also saw the return of The Villas, our power pop band, to the recording studio. On September 17th (see our post, Sound Matters), more than half a hundred of you welcomed us back and nearly 700 people downloaded two new Villas songs (for FREE!) that were made available here (and only here) at the "Lehigh Valley Somebody" blog. All that comment and download love was definitely a highlight of 2008 for us Villas ... so thanks.

In 2008, this proud minority local "lefty" blog also gave my bandmate/husband Bill Villa (Mr. Dottie) and me the opportunity to set the record straight on a few things; to defend ourselves against calculated lies, cruel taunts, and criminal harassment; to express our liberal political views; and to call attention to issues we believe are important-- such as how shabbily grieving families are treated by Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin and The Morning Call "newspaper." It's our blog and we'll continue to write about whatever we want, however we want-- while thumbing our noses at--and litigating against--all self-annointed Blog Nazi Enforcers stupid enough to take us on.

Over this past year, Bill and I have been disappointed to learn that seemingly thoughtful human beings can be incredibly gullible, pliable, and cold-hearted. But we've also learned that good people can come together to accomplish great things in a spirit of community and volunteerism. So it balanced out.

Go Obama! Go Liberals! Go Allentown! Go CHARGE! Go Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania!

Here's to another great year of opinionated Somebodies who aren't afraid to be outspoken in Allentown.

It's Somebody's 1st Anniversary!

Wow, it's been one year already since our inaugural post on January 1, 2008! Here is the picture I tried to install back then but couldn't figure out how to do it. Okay, so we're not gonna waste time with any "Best Of" or "Worst Of" The Year lists. We just wanted to say thanks for reading and commenting at our blog. It's been fun communicating with you, and in 2008 this blog greatly facilitated me in reaching out to other artists and getting The Allentown Chen Arts Group (CHARGE) rolling forward. It all started with a conversation between "Lehigh Valley Lexicon" Sarina and me in our local blogosphere. That was the spark that ignited a successful independent arts movement in Allentown that now has some serious momentum-in-progress. It's rewarding being part of two blogs, this one, and the new Allentown Chen Arts Group (CHARGE) blog, that actually achieve positive, quality of life progress for our community-- instead of whining about all that's "wrong" with Allentown politically, as so many of our local blogs do daily (yawn).

2008 also saw the return of The Villas, our power pop band, to the recording studio. On September 17th (see our post, Sound Matters), more than half a hundred of you welcomed us back and nearly 700 people downloaded two new Villas songs (for FREE!) that were made available here (and only here) at the "Lehigh Valley Somebody" blog. All that comment and download love was definitely a highlight of 2008 for us Villas ... so thanks.

In 2008, this proud minority local "lefty" blog also gave my bandmate/husband Bill Villa (Mr. Dottie) and me the opportunity to set the record straight on a few things; to defend ourselves against calculated lies, cruel taunts, and criminal harassment; to express our liberal political views; and to call attention to issues we believe are important-- such as how shabbily grieving families are treated by Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin and The Morning Call "newspaper." It's our blog and we'll continue to write about whatever we want, however we want-- while thumbing our noses at--and litigating against--all self-annointed Blog Nazi Enforcers stupid enough to take us on.

Over this past year, Bill and I have been disappointed to learn that seemingly thoughtful human beings can be incredibly gullible, pliable, and cold-hearted. But we've also learned that good people can come together to accomplish great things in a spirit of community and volunteerism. So it balanced out.

Go Obama! Go Liberals! Go Allentown! Go CHARGE! Go Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania!

Here's to another great year of opinionated Somebodies who aren't afraid to be outspoken in Allentown.

Let's Stop Bernie O'Hare

Master Of Deceit & MisDirection that Bernie O'Hare is ...

and because we deftly exposed some VERY clumsy legal jeopardy missteps O'Hare has made recently, namely:

* O'Hare published a threat to sabotage Sheena's civil litigation that implicates attorney (for now) Dave "The Gremlin" Najarian

* O'Hare published a threat about our home address that inadvertently (oopsie) revealed he may be stalking and staking out our residence ...

today B. O'Hare, um, shifts gears, and um, changes course, and MISDIRECTS YOUR ATTENTION away from Bill Villa and onto a NEW VICTIM AT THE TROLL PARADE BLOG.

This is part legal maneuver too.

See this way, O'Hare can tell the judge he wasn't 2709 A 3 criminally harassing "troll" Bill Villa ... exclusively.

No, Your Honor.

He was only doing his self-appointed job of policing our local blogosphere and punishing and harassing ALL bloggers whose content he does not approve of.

And I'm sure the judge will be fine with this ... eh?

ATTENTION LOCAL BLOGOSPHERE:

Now that "The Authority" Bernie O'Hare has selected a 2nd victim for his Troll Parade Blog (and who knows, O'Hare's 3rd victim may be YOU) ...

is anyone feeling even maybe, oh, I dunno, say even a little twinge of concern, and Civic Duty, regarding stopping this asshole O'Hare?

Pop me an e-mail if you'd like to JOIN ME IN STOPPING BERNIE O'HARE.

alacarbv@aol.com

This post was composed by Mr. Dottie, Bill Villa.

Let's Stop Bernie O'Hare

Master Of Deceit & MisDirection that Bernie O'Hare is ...

and because we deftly exposed some VERY clumsy legal jeopardy missteps O'Hare has made recently, namely:

* O'Hare published a threat to sabotage Sheena's civil litigation that implicates attorney (for now) Dave "The Gremlin" Najarian

* O'Hare published a threat about our home address that inadvertently (oopsie) revealed he may be stalking and staking out our residence ...

today B. O'Hare, um, shifts gears, and um, changes course, and MISDIRECTS YOUR ATTENTION away from Bill Villa and onto a NEW VICTIM AT THE TROLL PARADE BLOG.

This is part legal maneuver too.

See this way, O'Hare can tell the judge he wasn't 2709 A 3 criminally harassing "troll" Bill Villa ... exclusively.

No, Your Honor.

He was only doing his self-appointed job of policing our local blogosphere and punishing and harassing ALL bloggers whose content he does not approve of.

And I'm sure the judge will be fine with this ... eh?

ATTENTION LOCAL BLOGOSPHERE:

Now that "The Authority" Bernie O'Hare has selected a 2nd victim for his Troll Parade Blog (and who knows, O'Hare's 3rd victim may be YOU) ...

is anyone feeling even maybe, oh, I dunno, say even a little twinge of concern, and Civic Duty, regarding stopping this asshole O'Hare?

Pop me an e-mail if you'd like to JOIN ME IN STOPPING BERNIE O'HARE.

alacarbv@aol.com

This post was composed by Mr. Dottie, Bill Villa.

I'm Making My Gifts

This Friday afternoon I am co-chairing Craft Day at my son's school. This Friday is also the opening of the MOMENTUM Chen Arts show downtown, so I have been kinda busy. Craft Day is a fun after school event where kids get to make some winter crafts to give as gifts. This year I have decided to use recycled materials and found objects to make more creative and meaningful crafts. And I wanted to lower the ticket price considering how many families are struggling right now. I have been spending hours upon hours cutting apart cardboard boxes to make picture frames. We are going to glue mini pine cones on the frames. They are very cute. And working on this project got me thinking that well, maybe I should just make most of my X-mas gifts this year.

I really have a hard time buying gifts for wealthy relatives. It just doesn't seem right. I don't think that family members who are in a much higher income bracket than we are should expect fancy gifts from us. Plus, so many birthdays fall in December. So, it's the thought that counts, and I am going to make some thoughtful handmade trinkets this year. Now, the hard part is finding the time to do it!

I'm Making My Gifts

This Friday afternoon I am co-chairing Craft Day at my son's school. This Friday is also the opening of the MOMENTUM Chen Arts show downtown, so I have been kinda busy. Craft Day is a fun after school event where kids get to make some winter crafts to give as gifts. This year I have decided to use recycled materials and found objects to make more creative and meaningful crafts. And I wanted to lower the ticket price considering how many families are struggling right now. I have been spending hours upon hours cutting apart cardboard boxes to make picture frames. We are going to glue mini pine cones on the frames. They are very cute. And working on this project got me thinking that well, maybe I should just make most of my X-mas gifts this year.

I really have a hard time buying gifts for wealthy relatives. It just doesn't seem right. I don't think that family members who are in a much higher income bracket than we are should expect fancy gifts from us. Plus, so many birthdays fall in December. So, it's the thought that counts, and I am going to make some thoughtful handmade trinkets this year. Now, the hard part is finding the time to do it!

Lame Duck Dubya Craps on Women

Women should be aware of the "Right of Conscience Rule" that lame duck George Bush is pushing through before he flies the coop. This new rule could undermine a woman's ability to access reproductive health care. The rule says that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers can refuse to participate in any procedure they find morally objectionable, or against their religious beliefs. The broad language of the rule goes beyond just abortion to include sperm donations, artificial insemination, and contraception.

For example, a pharmacist can reject a rape victim's prescription for emergency contraception. A woman with a life threatening condition can be refused an early abortion. This rule allows pharmacists to refuse birth control to Medicaid recipients, so lower income women will be hit the hardest.

Shouldn't a patient's health care rights come before the religious beliefs of the health care providers?

Reproductive health care is a human right.

Isn't the Bush admin. just politicizing women's health in order to "set Obama up" for confrontation with the religious right? Obama has stated that he understands there is a "moral dimension to abortion" but he has also promised to protect the rights of women who seek abortion.

I can respect a health care worker's "right of conscience" but it is wrong to put ideology or politics before women's health.

Hey, I don't see any religious or political leaders speaking out to restrict Viagra use for unmarried men.

Quack, Quack.

Lame Duck Dubya Craps on Women

Women should be aware of the "Right of Conscience Rule" that lame duck George Bush is pushing through before he flies the coop. This new rule could undermine a woman's ability to access reproductive health care. The rule says that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers can refuse to participate in any procedure they find morally objectionable, or against their religious beliefs. The broad language of the rule goes beyond just abortion to include sperm donations, artificial insemination, and contraception.

For example, a pharmacist can reject a rape victim's prescription for emergency contraception. A woman with a life threatening condition can be refused an early abortion. This rule allows pharmacists to refuse birth control to Medicaid recipients, so lower income women will be hit the hardest.

Shouldn't a patient's health care rights come before the religious beliefs of the health care providers?

Reproductive health care is a human right.

Isn't the Bush admin. just politicizing women's health in order to "set Obama up" for confrontation with the religious right? Obama has stated that he understands there is a "moral dimension to abortion" but he has also promised to protect the rights of women who seek abortion.

I can respect a health care worker's "right of conscience" but it is wrong to put ideology or politics before women's health.

Hey, I don't see any religious or political leaders speaking out to restrict Viagra use for unmarried men.

Quack, Quack.

Greg Weaver in "Momentum"

I am proud to report (i.e., "leak") that the art work of the late and great Greg Weaver will be on display at the Allentown Chen Arts Group upcoming show, "Momentum." Greg started a hipster art scene in Allentown in the 1970's and was/is an inspiration to many artists, musicians, and writers. I spoke with his widow Fran recently for almost an hour and she is very excited about Greg's work being included in this show.

Greg Weaver said: "I see my painting as urban American folk art; that is an art that comes from responding to the tensions of national urbanization."

"I need the contradictions and paradoxes of modern American culture."

Speaking of cool contradictions, visualize Greg's "large black cow" and "large chicken" juxtaposed against the ultra-modern and mostly glass Butz Corporate Center. Wow. Just seeing Greg's work being unfurled during the set-up in the Butz building gave me a huge thrill.

Don't miss "Momentum," featuring the work of over 30 local artists converging on Hamilton Street in Allentown.

MOMENTUM- Expanding the Dialog of Contemporary Art in Allentown

Butz Corporate Center, 840 Hamilton St.

Opening Friday Dec 12th 5-9pm

Open Sat Dec 13th 12-5pm

Open daily Dec 15th-19th 11-2pm

Closing festivities Sat Dec 20th 5-9pm

Greg Weaver in "Momentum"

I am proud to report (i.e., "leak") that the art work of the late and great Greg Weaver will be on display at the Allentown Chen Arts Group upcoming show, "Momentum." Greg started a hipster art scene in Allentown in the 1970's and was/is an inspiration to many artists, musicians, and writers. I spoke with his widow Fran recently for almost an hour and she is very excited about Greg's work being included in this show.

Greg Weaver said: "I see my painting as urban American folk art; that is an art that comes from responding to the tensions of national urbanization."

"I need the contradictions and paradoxes of modern American culture."

Speaking of cool contradictions, visualize Greg's "large black cow" and "large chicken" juxtaposed against the ultra-modern and mostly glass Butz Corporate Center. Wow. Just seeing Greg's work being unfurled during the set-up in the Butz building gave me a huge thrill.

Don't miss "Momentum," featuring the work of over 30 local artists converging on Hamilton Street in Allentown.

MOMENTUM- Expanding the Dialog of Contemporary Art in Allentown

Butz Corporate Center, 840 Hamilton St.

Opening Friday Dec 12th 5-9pm

Open Sat Dec 13th 12-5pm

Open daily Dec 15th-19th 11-2pm

Closing festivities Sat Dec 20th 5-9pm

Food Stamp Usage Up

Here's something to think about, after the Thanksgiving festivities. The other night Rachel Maddow on MSNBC (I LOVE her show) said that 1 in 10 Americans use food stamps. I had no idea. There is new government data on hunger in the USA. According to this new data, 11.9 million Americans went hungry last year, including 700,000 children. This is up 50% since the year before. (source: The Washington Post, Nov. 26th)

"We soon will have the most food stamps recipients in the history of our country," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, a D.C.-based anti-hunger policy organization. "If the economic forecasts come true, we're likely to see the most hunger that we've seen since the 1981 recession and maybe since the 1960s, when these programs were established."

Food stamp usage is a good barometer of economic conditions. An increase in food stamps is fueled by rising unemployment and rising food prices.

Food stamps aren't welfare. The program helps lower income people buy nutritious food. Many working people use food stamps to help make ends meet. Obama intends to make this issue a priority next year and increase food stamp benefits as part of the economic stimulus plan.

The food stamp program is now called The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Here is more info: FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Food Stamp Usage Up

Here's something to think about, after the Thanksgiving festivities. The other night Rachel Maddow on MSNBC (I LOVE her show) said that 1 in 10 Americans use food stamps. I had no idea. There is new government data on hunger in the USA. According to this new data, 11.9 million Americans went hungry last year, including 700,000 children. This is up 50% since the year before. (source: The Washington Post, Nov. 26th)

"We soon will have the most food stamps recipients in the history of our country," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, a D.C.-based anti-hunger policy organization. "If the economic forecasts come true, we're likely to see the most hunger that we've seen since the 1981 recession and maybe since the 1960s, when these programs were established."

Food stamp usage is a good barometer of economic conditions. An increase in food stamps is fueled by rising unemployment and rising food prices.

Food stamps aren't welfare. The program helps lower income people buy nutritious food. Many working people use food stamps to help make ends meet. Obama intends to make this issue a priority next year and increase food stamp benefits as part of the economic stimulus plan.

The food stamp program is now called The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Here is more info: FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

In Memory of Mike

Today we found out that our friend Mike Smitreski passed away. We will miss you, Mike.

Here's a link to Mike's band "The Steeds," a fab garage band. http://www.myspace.com/thesteeds

Photo credit-David Keller

In Memory of Mike

Today we found out that our friend Mike Smitreski passed away. We will miss you, Mike.

Here's a link to Mike's band "The Steeds," a fab garage band. http://www.myspace.com/thesteeds

Photo credit-David Keller

Giving Thanks

Here is a list of some things I am thankful for (there are many others):

1. First and foremost, my family.

2. Friends

3. My faith

4. My surgeons

5. My dad's surgeon

6. Nurses

7. My teachers

8. Emergency response people

9. Fire and police officers

10. Democracy/USA/Freedom

11. Volunteers

12. Veterans

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Giving Thanks

Here is a list of some things I am thankful for (there are many others):

1. First and foremost, my family.

2. Friends

3. My faith

4. My surgeons

5. My dad's surgeon

6. Nurses

7. My teachers

8. Emergency response people

9. Fire and police officers

10. Democracy/USA/Freedom

11. Volunteers

12. Veterans

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!