OAPA Takes Local Children to the Art Museum

OAPA takes local youth on a trip the Allentown Art Museum. Thanks to funding from ANDA (Allentown Neighborhood Development Alliance, Neighborhood Partnership Program youth projects, funded by KNBT & PPL) 13 children ages 8 to 11 had a wonderful day of Arts in the City. The weather held up for the children's walk from OAPA's office to the Allentown Art Museum. Luckily they did not need to use umbrellas! They spent the morning at the museum exploring the exhibit Fashion in Film. The children were amazed with the costumes and spent some time among the clothing sketching their own rendition of a fabulous costume. They all got to use fabrics and trims to make their mini costumes for their paper doll in the museum studio. After the museum the children walked back to OAPA for a delicious lunch of fresh fruit and wraps from Plaza Deli. The children also had some live entertainment and participated in hooping with Tina from Spirit Hoops and drumming with Snow Star Raven Hawk.



Another trip to the museum is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5th. This trip will be for local teens. Check out the blog next week for pictures and more fun..

An Outsiders Perspective

As I sit here half way through my sixth week of this 10 week internship, I reflect upon the things that I've learned from so far. My first lesson came my second week here when I found out just how strict the Allentown parking authority is. I missed my meter by less than 5 min and they had already ticketed me. I guess you haven't had the Old Allentown experience until you've experienced the promptness of the ticketing agents. All that aside though, I have learned quite a bit about a city that I grew up quite close to but never had the opportunity to get to know. I grew up in Lancaster, only about an hour away from Allentown, but other than driving through it on my way somewhere else, I had never before really spent any time here. I found the parts that I have experienced to be diversely culturally rich, as well as aesthetically impressive. For me, Allentown has turned out to be a combination of rich culture, impressive architecture, and historic presence.

One of my favorite travel destinations is Washington Heights, New York City. Washington Heights is a predominantly Dominican neighborhood with influences from many other Latin American cultures. "The Heights," as the neighborhood is referred to by locals is so rich with culture that all five senses are saturated. I have found the historic district of Allentown to be much the same. Everywhere that you look there are people proud of their history with Puerto Rican or Dominican flags hanging on a porch or in a car. The smell of "arroz con habichuelas" (or rice and beans) is present on almost every sidewalk due to such a high presence of Latin American Restaurants. On many sidewalks either Spanish conversation or music (or both) can be heard. Anyone adventurous enough to venture into any of the cultural restaurants will be greatly rewarded by some of the greatest flavors of any cuisine worldwide. Upon close examination of any building, especially one constructed of brick, the feel of the antiquity of the neighborhood is so obvious, yet it is equally obvious that most of the buildings are still in great condition.

It is the architectural beauty of the neighborhood that sets it apart from any New York City Borough. Old Allentown is as richly filled with architecture as it is with culture. Through walking around the neighborhood distributing the Elm Street Community Survey (please fill one out and return by September 1st) and working on a PowerPoint Presentation documenting all of the completed facade restorations to date, I have seen some really unique architecture. The detail put into the lentils, and the porches, the dedication to the historical accuracy of the shutters is something for any resident of the Historic District to be proud of.

With the resources and manpower available, OAPA has done a great job taking the time and attention to detail to pursue a dedication to historical architectural accuracy. Not only do they have an understanding of what the Historic District should look like, OAPA has also created literature to communicate that idea to the residents to help spread their mission to maintain a historic presence in the city of Allentown.

I have so far enjoyed the things that I've learned and the people that I have had the opportunity to meet. Each person has been able to offer me a unique perspective of the district, and each building that I have observed has shown me a different style of historic renovation. If you are a resident of the Allentown Historic District, be proud of the neighborhood you live in! As an outsider it has certainly impressed me.
Ciao,
Adam

Ice Cream For Us

Fellow residents and members of Old Allentown, Cheryl Moritz and her husband, Joshua Neth had a great treat for all their neighbors. Cheryl entered an online contest by writing an essay on what a wonderful neighborhood she lives in. In Edy's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute, Cheryl saluted her neighbors and Edy's saluted her. Cheryl had wonderful news to share with us: she won "Edy's Slow Churned" ice cream for about 150 of her neighbors!! Her essay:"I live in a neighborhood that is a mix of well-preserved historic row homes and lower-income rental units. Unfortunately, the two groups that live in each of the aforementioned types of housing rarely have the opportunity to interact. An ice cream block party would be a perfect way to bring together the various social and economic groups that live in my neighborhood, and it would also be a perfect way for the community to celebrate and do something positive in an area that is often portrayed negatively in the media for being crime filled. Many people in my neighborhoodare trying hard to change the community for the better, and an Edy's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute ice cream block party would be the perfect reward for our efforts and a wonderful impetus to encourage more positive change." So Sunday, July 12th the pocket park at Turner and Fountain Streets was filled with neighbors having an awesome time in the great weather. There were many delicious flavors to choose from. There was also an art table for our youth.

Plaza Grower's Market

Downtown Allentown has a wonderful farmer's market every wednesday through October from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Plaza Grower's Market is held at the PPL Plaza on 9th and Hamilton Streets. The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place Wednesday, July 8th, 2009. The Plaza was filled with people enjoying the beautiful weather and the bountiful array of selections. Locals and tourists alike were marveling at the quality of the fresh produce, flowers and food available. Young and old gathered to participate in a large drum circle led by local artist Yodi from the Street Theater Alliance. The delicious scents of the foods, the live entertainment and the sounds of our youth running through the splash fountain almost made one stop to think, "Wait, are we downtown? Is this a Wednesday afternoon?"
A popular stop at the market is Tassot Apiaries of Milford, NJ. Not only do they have the best honey, they also bring an amazing beehive honeycomb with queen bee and all!! You can watch the busy bees through the glass working on the production of honey.


Other tables include Balasia, where Wendy makes vegan delights; Riegel's Produce of Kempton; Fresh Coffee Scoop of Pipersville, PA, offering organic, free trade, locally roasted coffee; Allentown's own Vicky's Sweet Spot, featuring delicious baked goods; LC's Farm Alastar of Riegelsville, PA, with home grown produce, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, and herbs; Woodsong Hollow Farm of Boyertown, PA with chicken and eggs; Little Peace Farm of Schuylkill Haven, PA with vegetables; Keepsake Farm of Northampton, PA with eggs and meat; and Highland Gourmet of Stockertown, NJ with all natural beef products. Among these you will find community tables offering information, services, or products. You may find sunlv.org for community gardens, Community Bikeworks, Local Artists, Blurb Media Productions, Chen Arts Group, plus many more!!

Be a witness to the sights, sounds, and smells: Come one and all to the Plaza Grower's Market next wednesday!