The streaking Lehigh Valley housing market slowed to a lumbering gait this summer. It was capped off by an August that featured annual home-price gains shrinking to almost nothing and year-over-year sales falling off a cliff. This is welcome news to first-time home-buyers, who in recent years found it far more costly to move from being a renter to a homeowner.
Elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley economy, the labor market continues to favor job hunters. In August, the Lehigh Valley was home to 340,600 jobs, according to the state labor department. That's an increase of 2.1 percent. By contrast, the state of Pennsylvania added 0.9 percent to its job total over the past year.
That has helped keep the unemployment rate low, despite adding more people to the work force at a rapid pace. The region has added 6,800 people to the labor force over the past year and created 6,900 jobs.
The August unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in July, but still below the 5 percent level that many economists consider ''full employment.'' That means anybody who wants a job can get one.
Full story at mcall.com.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Lehigh Valley Adds Jobs at Triple the State's Rate
The Lehigh Valley has added jobs at triple the rate of Pennsylvania since 2000, and over the past year no other region in the state has added positions at a faster clip, according to data to be released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
In August, the region was home to 340,600 jobs. That's an increase of 2.1 percent, or 6,900 more jobs than a year earlier. By contrast, the state of Pennsylvania added 0.9 percent to its job total over the past year.
Full story at mcall.com.
In August, the region was home to 340,600 jobs. That's an increase of 2.1 percent, or 6,900 more jobs than a year earlier. By contrast, the state of Pennsylvania added 0.9 percent to its job total over the past year.
Full story at mcall.com.
2006-2007 NET Ski Group is Back!
The leaves are changing color so that means it is time to start thinking about skiing! This will be sixth year of the NET Ski Group. Each year we welcome more and more participants of varying abilities, from complete beginner to advanced. Members and Non-members welcome.
Blue Mountain has expanded with increased lift capacity with a new six-man high speed quad. They have also invested in new skis, boots, and bindings for the rental shop and have increased their investment in snow making and grooming equipment. Despite the weather in the Lehigh Valley (where was the snow?), they always had good conditions last year and made tons of snow whenever they could. All told, they have invested $5 million in upgrades to the mountain this year to make sure we have great time!
Prices:
o Lift Ticket Only $85
o Lift Ticket and Ski Rental $125
o Lift Ticket and Snowboard Rental $160
o Lift Ticket and Lessons $120
o Full Ski Package* $150
o Full Snowboard Package* $185
*The full ski or snowboard package includes lift ticket, equipment rental, and lessons. Packages that include lessons give you one lesson each time you go skiing/boarding.
Deadline to be included in the group is November 10, 2006. Pay online using Pay Pal or send a check made payable to the Network of Young Professionals to P.O. Box 90561, Allentown, PA 18109. Non-members will need to add $5 per package if using Pay Pal. If you'd like to become a NET member, join here. Indicate package(s) and e-mail address in the memo line. Be sure to e-mail Matt Sommerfield on the NET website when you register so your payment can be verified.
NET-designated Wednesday nights are January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, and 14. Note that your passes will only be valid on these nights. If the group reschedules due to bad weather, event conflict, etc., our makeup date will be Feb 21. If an individual misses any of these nights, their pass will be valid for a make up night on any Mon-Thur starting March 1 until the end of the season.
A kickoff party is planned on the first night of skiing so people can meet others with similar ability.
To get the latest news about NET events and more sign-up for our weekly e-mail list here.
Blue Mountain has expanded with increased lift capacity with a new six-man high speed quad. They have also invested in new skis, boots, and bindings for the rental shop and have increased their investment in snow making and grooming equipment. Despite the weather in the Lehigh Valley (where was the snow?), they always had good conditions last year and made tons of snow whenever they could. All told, they have invested $5 million in upgrades to the mountain this year to make sure we have great time!
Prices:
o Lift Ticket Only $85
o Lift Ticket and Ski Rental $125
o Lift Ticket and Snowboard Rental $160
o Lift Ticket and Lessons $120
o Full Ski Package* $150
o Full Snowboard Package* $185
*The full ski or snowboard package includes lift ticket, equipment rental, and lessons. Packages that include lessons give you one lesson each time you go skiing/boarding.
Deadline to be included in the group is November 10, 2006. Pay online using Pay Pal or send a check made payable to the Network of Young Professionals to P.O. Box 90561, Allentown, PA 18109. Non-members will need to add $5 per package if using Pay Pal. If you'd like to become a NET member, join here. Indicate package(s) and e-mail address in the memo line. Be sure to e-mail Matt Sommerfield on the NET website when you register so your payment can be verified.
NET-designated Wednesday nights are January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, and 14. Note that your passes will only be valid on these nights. If the group reschedules due to bad weather, event conflict, etc., our makeup date will be Feb 21. If an individual misses any of these nights, their pass will be valid for a make up night on any Mon-Thur starting March 1 until the end of the season.
A kickoff party is planned on the first night of skiing so people can meet others with similar ability.
To get the latest news about NET events and more sign-up for our weekly e-mail list here.
NET Events Planning Meeting Tonight!
Ever have an idea for a NET event? Want to be involved in the event planning process? Come out to SW Coffee Blends to share your ideas and talents to help with NET events for the future. We are looking for volunteers to take the horns on such projects as Business Card Exchange and monthly Dine-Outs. If you are already a NET member show your NET card to get 10% off your coffee order. If not join now!
When: Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Where: SW Coffee Blends, 4128 W. Tilghman St., Allentown
Admission: FREE!!
When: Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Where: SW Coffee Blends, 4128 W. Tilghman St., Allentown
Admission: FREE!!
What is RSS?
RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a way to subscribe to frequently updated websites like blogs or news. Next time you're reading a website look for a little orange icon or chicklet that says RSS. When you click on it, you can subscribe to the RSS feeds, meaning you receive articles when the websites update in your news aggregator or reader. The NET's favorite RSS aggregator is Bloglines. All webased, there is no downloading, and you have access to your reader whereever you are, whether it be work or home. It works best with Firefox web browser where you can plant a button right on the browser making subscribing to your favorite feeds a snap.
The beauty of RSS feeds is that you only have to subscribe to things that interest you. The aggregator does all the sorting for you. For example, if you only really read local news in your morning paper, only subscribe to local news. This way you no longer have to shift through world news or sports, you just receive what you like. Best of all, it doesn't clog up your e-mail and lets you skim things easily.
Click here or the orange chicklet on the blog to subscribe to the NET's RSS feed.
For those of you who are a bit overwhelmed by all this technology, you can easily subscribe to the NET's blog via e-mail here. Just plop your e-mail in the subscription box on the blog.
The beauty of RSS feeds is that you only have to subscribe to things that interest you. The aggregator does all the sorting for you. For example, if you only really read local news in your morning paper, only subscribe to local news. This way you no longer have to shift through world news or sports, you just receive what you like. Best of all, it doesn't clog up your e-mail and lets you skim things easily.
Click here or the orange chicklet on the blog to subscribe to the NET's RSS feed.
For those of you who are a bit overwhelmed by all this technology, you can easily subscribe to the NET's blog via e-mail here. Just plop your e-mail in the subscription box on the blog.
Home Buyer's Seminar
First-time ownership. Topics include preparing for home ownership, importance of good credit, shopping for a home, obtaining a mortgage, the closing process, what to expect as a home owner.
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg, 2545 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE!!
Sponsored Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, 610-691-5620
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg, 2545 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE!!
Sponsored Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, 610-691-5620
2006 Elections: The Issues, Candidates and Politics
2006 Elections: The Issues, Candidates and Politics with Terry Madonna, Director of Center for Politics and Public Affairs, Professor of Public Affairs and Director of the Franklin & Marshall Keystone Poll.
When: Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 a.m. registration, 7:30 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. program
Where: Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center, Routes 512 & 22, Bethlehem
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Economy League and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
When: Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 a.m. registration, 7:30 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. program
Where: Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center, Routes 512 & 22, Bethlehem
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Economy League and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)