January 17, 2007 Release

No Slate Belt Wal-Mart

PLAINFIELD TWP.- A letter sent January 9 by National Realty and Development Corporation (NRDC) to the Board of Directors of Plainfield Township put an end to the highly controversial Market Place at Plainfield project, AKA the Wal-Mart and Lowe’s retail center. NRDC Managing Director of Development, Jerrold Bermingham, submitted the single paragraph letter but did not state a reason for ending the project.

NDRC had planned to build at 475,000-square-foot retail center on the 61-acre piece of land in Plainfield Township between Pen Argyl and Wind Gap. Several residents of the township and neighboring towns spoke out against the retail center citing the negative effects on traffic and the local economy. One group, The Slate Belt Concerned Citizens, led the community against the proposed plan. The group circulated flyers, built a Web site, attended meetings and offered free screenings of “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price” at Wind Gap’s Gap Theater in October. View the letter at the Slate Belt Concerned Citizens web site

Slate Belt Chamber Offering Human Resources Advice

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce and Core People Resources are pleased to announce a new exclusive service for chamber members. From 10 AM to 1 PM, beginning January 24, chamber members will be able to contact a senior level human resource (HR) consultant free of charge through the Ask the Expert program. Once a month an HR consultant will be available in the chamber office to meet directly with chamber members and respond to any Human Resource related questions they may have. Interested members are encouraged to contact the Chamber to schedule an appointment.

Blue Mountain Antique Gas & Steam Engine Assoc. Annual Snow Show

Blue Mountain Antique Gas & Steam Engine Association will hold its annual Snow Show from 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, January 20 at the Jacktown Community Center located on Bangor-Richmond Road in Bangor. The event will be one of the first shows of 2007 on the east coast and will feature a variety of gas engine displays. Those who donate an empty soup can are eligible to receive free Hobo Stew. Other food will be on sale and a bon fire is planned. For more information, call 610.588.6900.

Art & Music Emporium Offering Adult Beginner Program

The Art & Music Emporium is offering an adult beginner program called New Horizons Band. The program is perfect for anyone who is interested in learning to play an instrument or that has not played in a long time. An informational meeting is planned for Wednesday, January 24 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the East Bangor Fire Hall. For more information call the Art & Music Emporium at 610.588.1884 or visit them on the Web at www.ArtMusicEmporium.com.

Pius X High School Hosting Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a free throw contest on Saturday, January 20. The contest will be held in the gymnasium of Pius X High School and begins at 10 AM. Boys and Girls ages 10-14 may participate.

Slate Belt COG Holding January Meeting

The Slate Belt Council of Governments (COG) will meet at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, January 24 at the Washington Township Municipal Building. The public is encouraged to attend and discuss ways to improve the service to the Slate Belt COG municipalities. The Washington Township Municipal Building is located on Route 191 in Washington Township.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Asks Members to Register

Attendance at the recent Christmas Masses has indicated that many who attend Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church are not registered in the parish. Anyone who has moved to a new address should register at that address. Registration forms can be obtained at the church entrance.

Second Ward Fire Co. Ladies Aux. Celebrating 70 Years

The Ladies Auxiliary of Second Ward Fire Company will meet at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, January 23 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary. The meeting will be held at the firehouse and light refreshments will be served. Members and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend.

Wind Gap Baseball and Softball Holding Registration

Wind Gap Area Athletic Association will hold baseball and softball registration on Saturdays, January 20 and 27, and February 3. Registration will be from 10 AM to 1 PM in the Wind Gap Middle School gymnasium. Registration is open to boys ages 5-15 and girls ages 5-14. For more information, call Jim Mahachek at 570.992.9876.

Grace United Offering Membership Classes

Grace United Methodist Church of Pen Argyl will be offering three, one-hour new member classes for anyone interested in joining the family of Grace UMC. The first session is at 6 PM on Sunday, January 21 in the church library. The second and third classes are the following two Sundays, January 28 and February 4. All classes will be conducted by Pastor Larry and Pastor Debra.

Pen Argyl High School Coaches Holding Baseball Clinics

The coaching staff of Pen Argyl Area High School is holding the Indoor Youth Baseball Clinic during the month of February for children ages 8 to 14. The clinics and dates are hitting, Sunday, February 4 and pitching and catching, Sunday, February 11. Both clinics will be held from 1 to 4 PM at Pen Argyl Area High School Gymnasium. For more information, call Jim Trach Jr. at 610.863.4749.

Deadline Near to Register for 2007 Slate Belt Idol

Families First invites local vocalists to audition for the chance to be crowned the next Slate Belt Idol. To be eligible, contestants must be at least 16 years old. Those interested and meeting the age criteria should send a five-minute CD or audio tape of your best solo acapella performance, a check for $5 (registration fee), and personal information (full name, age, address, phone number, and email address) and a headshot to Families First/SBI, 1620 Teels Road, Wind Gap, PA 18072. All packages must be postmarked no later than Monday, January 22. Finalists will perform before the Slate Belt Idol Judging Committee on Wednesday, February 28. Finalists will receive their notification by mail on or prior to Wednesday, February 15. The final performance will be held at 7 PM on Friday, March 2 at the Wind Gap Middle School auditorium. Comments on finalists’ performance will be provided by local judges and the audience will choose the winner. The winner will be crowned the 2007 Slate Belt Idol and be awarded a recording session at Church Recording Studio in Pen Argyl and $500. The runner-up will receive $250. All proceeds will benefit Families First. For more information, please call Linda Cesare at 610.863.5838 or Carol Scarangello at 610.746.9751.

Blue Valley Rescue Installs 2007 Officers

Blue Valley Rescue Squad recently installed their officers for 2007. Now serving are Jason Fleming, President; Daniel Cotturo, Vice President; Tania Meixsell, Treasurer; Suzanne DeFranco, Secretary; Chad Zeruth, Engineer; Todd Albert and Jason Yeagle, elected board members; Stephen DeFranco, Chief; Michael Hunt, Assistant Chief; Suzanne DeFranco, Captain; Jason Fleming, Lieutenant; Scott Meixsell; Safety Officer; and Brian O’Neil, Water Officer.

Bangor Alumni Association Not Holding January or February Meeting

The Bangor Alumni Association will not be meeting during the months of January and February. The next meeting will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 13 in the Administration Building at the Five Points Complex.

Slate Belt & Nazareth Chambers Holding Winter Wonderland Mixers

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce and Nazareth Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the Winter Wonderland Mixer which will be hosted by The Hampton Inn and Schwann’s Home Delivery on Thursday, January 18. The event will be held from 5 to 7 PM at the Hampton Inn in Easton.

Golden Sunshiners to Meet

The Golden Sunshiners will meet at 1 PM on Wednesday, January 17. The meeting will be held at the UCC Church in Flicksville.

Bangor Fire Department Seeking Aluminum Can Donations

The Bangor Fire Department is seeking aluminum can and loose aluminum donations to assist with their fundraising. The aluminum is taken to local recycling companies with the funds going toward the purchasing of new firefighting equipment and the exhibit housed at the Slate Belt Heritage Center. Aluminum may be dropped at Liberty Fire Company (67 North 8th Street), Rescue Fire Company #1 (Route 191), or 2nd Ward Fire Company (Northampton and Messinger Streets).

Bangor Elks Hosting Line Dancing

The Bangor Elks is again offering a night of line dancing from 7 to 10 PM each Monday. The Bangor Elks is located at 120 Broadway in Bangor. For more information, call 610.588.3420 or email bangor1106@epix.net.

Waggin’ Tails Offering Animal Communication Class

Animal Communication Development Classes will be starting at 7 PM on Friday, January 19 at the Waggin' Tails office located on Rt. 209 in Brodheadsville. The series of 10 classes consist of meditations, exercises and discussions which assist in developing and increasing intuitive awareness. By the end of these classes participants will have the ability to fully communicate with animals, both domestic and wild. Each class is approximately 2 hours long. All classes cost $20 with a percentage benefiting Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue for homeless and abandoned animals. Classes are presented by Vyolet, animal communicator, Reoh-chi Master and veterinary technician who has written several articles on the subject which are available on the Living Spirit Website (http://www.thelivingspirit.info/Vyolet.html). For more information or to register please contact Vyolet at dogstarenergycenter@yahoo.com or 570.619.6016.

Boscola Announces College Financial Aid Forms Are Available

Families with college students can now file for financial aid, State Senator Lisa M. Boscola announced on January 12.

FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and collegiate-level student aid.

“There are a lot of opportunities for college students to receive financial aid, so I encourage families to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure that the student doesn’t miss any important student aid deadlines,” Boscola said. “FAFSA forms are available for free from a number of sources, including online and at my district offices.”

The FAFSA form can be obtained from school counselors and postsecondary schools. Families can also complete and submit the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.EducationPlanner.org

EducationPlanner.org also offers a free tutorial to help families better understand and complete the FAFSA.

Constituents can also obtain a FAFSA form by stopping by the senator’s district offices in Bethlehem at Main Street Commons, 559 Main Street, Suite 270 (610-868-8667); in Whitehall at West Catasauqua Prof. Office Building, 2123 N. 1st Ave., Suite A-4 (610-266-2117); or in Stroudsburg at Dominick A. Lockwood Business Center, 600 Main St., Suite 112 (570-420-293).

Workshops to assist families in completing the FAFSA will be held throughout Pennsylvania from January through March. To view a complete list of workshops, visit www.PHEAA.org and click on "Plan for College," then click on "Complete the FAFSA," and then click on "Locations and Registration."

NCC's Leadership Development Institute Offers Employee Development Workshops

The Leadership Development Institute at Northampton Community College will be offering low-cost professional development workshops through The Learning Connection in January. The Learning Connection brings together employees from a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations for training.

The following classes will meet at Northampton Community Colleges Main Campus in Bethlehem Township.

January 23 - Basic Management Skills
January 25 - Successful Negotiations
January 29 - Managing the Performance of Others
January 30-31 Effective Interactions and Handling Conflict

For more information about the registration process, times and fees, please email ldi@northampton.edu or call (610) 861-5590.

Moravian Hall Square Holding Jazz Concert

Moravian Hall Square will be holding their Winter Jazz Concert on Thursday, January 18. The concert begins at 7:30 PM and features the Ernie Stadler Jazz Quintet. The free concert is open to the public and will be held in Kortz Hall located at 175 W. North Street in Nazareth.

Klecknersville Rangers Ladies Auxiliary All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The Klecknersville Rangers Ladies Auxiliary is holding an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 AM to 12 PM on Sunday, January 21 at the Klecknersville Fire Hall. The menu consists of pancakes, sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, French toast, hash browns, and much more. The cost is $6 for adults and $3.50 for children ages 5-12. Children under age 5 eat free. Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Hall is located at 2718 Mountain View Drive in Moore Township. For more information, call 610.837.0307.

Northampton County 4-H Horse Club Accepting New Members

Forward Motion 4-H Horse and Pony Club has openings for a few new members. The 4-H program accepts youth ages 8-18. The club will be studying horses, their care, handling, safety and enjoyment. The club has, in the past, visited various horse farms, vets, shows, and learning events as the opportunity arose. The only requirement is an interest to learn about horses. 4-H clubs do not provide horses or ponies for riding.

Forward Motion meets the first and third Friday of each month in the Nazareth area. Those interested should contact Brigita McKelvie, Leader, 610-759-7495.

The 4-H program is open to all youths ages 8-18. It offers over 150 hands on projects with an emphasis on leadership and life skills. The program is run by volunteers. New members and volunteers are always welcome. For more information, please contact Liesel Driesbach, 4-H Educator, 610.746.1970, ext. 4.