Thursday, July 13, 2006

The RENEWLV Smart Growth Book Club

The Campaign to Renew the Lehigh Valley welcomes members of the public to join lively discussions on land use at their newly formed Smart Growth Book Club. The purpose of the book club is to promote education and debate for community members to discuss land use and Smart Growth Initiatives.


Smart Growth Book Club meetings will begin in July and will be held on the third Thursday of every other month in the home of Joyce Marin, co-chair of RenewLV at 500 Chestnut Street, Emmaus. The setting will serve as an illustration of one Smart Growth Initiative: investing in older properties within Main Streets and traditional neighborhoods. The Main Street of Emmaus is especially lively on Third Thursdays because the Emmaus Main Street Program organizes special promotions of businesses on that day each month.


RenewLV's Smart Growth Book Club members will be invited to join the group in reading and discussing a different book selection every two months. The initial book list was developed by PA Representative Robert Freeman and Joyce Marin. Representative Freeman also serves on the Leadership Council of Renew LV.


July's selected book for discussion is Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, Thomas Hylton's "Save our Land, Save our Towns". Mr. Hylton spoke at a community forum on land use issues sponsored by RenewLV in May. Community members interested in joining this activist initiative will meet on Thursday, July 20th @ 7pm to discuss their opinions of our local and regional options from the book.


For those who wish to read ahead, September's selection for discussion is "Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream" by Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Speck. Community members interested in a lively discussion of this important book will meet on Thursday, September 21st @ 7pm to discuss opinions and options from the book. The Smart Growth Book Club hopes to educate and inspire local community members into action.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Lebanese Heritage Days Festival

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Easton, Pennsylvania, is celebrating our 29th Annual Lebanese Heritage Days Festival (Mahrajan) on Saturday, July 15th from 6:00 p.m. until Midnight, and Sunday, July 16th, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., on the church grounds at 55 South Fourth Street.

Taste the delicious menu of Lebanese Food freshly prepared by parish members: including Shish Kabob, Grilled Chicken & Garlic Sauce, Kafta, Kibbee Niyee, Chicken & Rice, Baked Macaroni , Stuffed Grape Leaves, Stuffed Cabbage, Tabbouli, Hummus, and much more. For your dining comfort, the Church Hall is air-conditioned and accommodates 500 people. There will also be Children's Activities.

The Festival is held rain or shine.