Drag Races And Such At Dorney Park

Dorney Park is celebrating it's 125th Anniversary, as noted by The Morning Call. A landmark that old, has provided memories for five generations. As a teenager in the 1960's, friday nights at Castle Rock, a dance hall from the twenties, were literally a Freddy Cannon moment. Park admission was free, and there were many attractions which no longer exist, most victim to fire. In addition to the dance hall, there was also a roller skating ring and a stock car race track. The picture above was part of a large neon sign on Hamilton Blvd., on the northwest corner with Cedar Crest Blvd.

In 2007 John Travolta,dressed in drag, portrayed Hollywood's version of Hairspray, initially made by campy underground film maker John Waters, and shot at Dorney Park in 1988. Travolta's part was originally played by a less wholesome, real life female impersonator named Devine, who died shortly after the movie was released.

In my father's time, you could get the trolley at 7th and Hamilton and take it to Dorney Park. Through the 1980's, you could still drive on the road which went right through the middle of the park. Now, combined with a water park, Dorney has become a regional attraction. Busloads of children and families come from New York and elsewhere, but it will always remain a rite of passage for local youngsters.

reprinted from May of 2009.

UPDATE: The large Dorney Park sign stood on the northwest corner of Hamilton and Cedar Crest.  Historic stone homes,  including the current King George Inn, stood on the other three corners. The intersection was called Dorneyville. At the Dorney Sign there was a diagonal road which also entered the intersection,  and the sign pointed to follow that road to the amusement park.

Historic Hysteria Over The King George Inn

My friend Emma used to refer to Old Allentown as the Hysterical District. She coined that phrase when people went nuts after she and others dared to oppose the Historic District. Emma felt back then that the new proposed ordinance infringed upon the property rights of existing residents. Over forty some years ago, the current owner of the King George  Inn set out to save the building, but he put his own money where his mouth was. Now 83 years old, he closed the restaurant, and wants to sell the building. A developer purchased other parcels by that corner, and wants to demolish all the buildings, and  build a new commercial complex. Fellow blogger Jon Geeting writes, 1,200 people signed a petition to save the King George Inn. South Whitehall zoners should simply refuse to approve the variance for the new buildings until developers agree to keep King George and pay for the renovations. None of those signers put their money where their mouth is, they want to save the building with the owner's retirement fund.  Geeting even suggests that the zoning, which is arbitrary enough, be used as a weapon. I'm a history buff, and an advocate for historical preservation, but not at the expense of someone else's property rights.

Is Allentown Humpty Dumpty?

When I read about Billy's Diner replacing Sangria at the Butz Building, my thoughts turned to Humpty. I also thought about the Diner at 9th and Linden. Years ago I posted about all the grants going to the new restaurants, and nada for the existing meat and potato crowd, that has been staying the course, and paying the taxes. I do believe that Billy's has a shot. Is he or Butz getting a little grant incentive, only a forensic accountant could tell. For Butz, going from Sangria to Billy's is a lesson in humility, that normally you have to attend church to learn. Now if some of the clientele from 9th and Linden ends up at 9th and Hamilton, that will be another bible lesson.

Park Sovereignty Compromised

The Wildland's Conservancy, feel good hypocrites who receive big business contributions to ignore fracking, sewage overflows, and the bottling industry's overuse of our water, received a grant to remove dams in Lehigh Valley. While Easton told them to pound their plans, Allentown is giving them free range in our park system, with no oversight what-so-ever. Citizens today learn that the dam in Jordan Park was removed yesterday. A few months ago I approached City Council to save the iconic dam at Robin Hood, in Lehigh Parkway. Public Works indicated that the Conservancy provided no engineering or plans for the dam removals. City Council's Park and Recreation Committee, chaired by Cynthia Mota, was supposed to conduct a meeting on the issue, inviting a coalition of concerned citizens. Personally, I have no issue with removing the dam(s) at Jordan Park. It is my understanding that they contributed to stagnation and presented a danger to children. However, they were built during the WPA era,  and belonged to the citizens of Allentown. In no way should the Wildland's Conservancy be removing features of the Allentown Park System, without direct knowledge of the citizens, and consent of City Council.

Boxing Eggs

When I was a little boy, I would work at my father's meat market, boxing eggs. The job was pretty straightforward. I would take eggs from a big box, and put them in small boxes with folding lids, each of which held a dozen. If I did a whole crate without breaking an egg, I did a good job. The real adventure was the drive to the shop. We lived just off Lehigh Street, and would take it all the way to Union Street. The many landmarks are now gone forever, only remaining in my camera of the past. Shown above in 1952, is the portion of Lehigh Street near the Acorn Hotel, which is not visible in the photograph. Before reaching the Acorn, you drove under The Reading Railroad bridge overpass, which recently has been dismantled and removed. That line served the Mack Plant on S. 10th Street. Just beyond the area pictured, the Quarry Barber railroad spur also crossed Lehigh Street, at the bridge over the Little Lehigh Creek. That line also crossed S. 10th, and served Traylor Engineering, now known as the closed Allentown Metal Works. Just last week Mitt Romney was there, to rebuke Obama's former visit to the site. Mayor Pawlowski is now rebuking Romney, but none of them really know anything about it's past. A half block away, on overgrown steps built by Roosevelt's WPA, a thousand men would climb home everyday, after working at Mack and Traylor. Freight trains, on parallel tracks, from two different railroads, were needed to supply those industrial giants.

After my father rounded the second curve on Lehigh Street, we would head up the steep Lehigh Street hill. It was packed with houses and people. At the top of the hill, we would turn right on to Union Street. Going down Union Street, Grammes Metal was built on the next big curve. Grammes made a large assortment of finished decorative metal products. Beyond Grammes were numerous railroad crossings. The Lehigh Valley Railroad tracks crossed Union, as did the Jersey Central and several spurs, near Basin Street. It was not unusual to wait twenty-five minutes for the endless freight trains to pass. A two plus story tower gave the railroad men view and control of the busy crossing. A few more blocks and we were at the meat market, in time for me to break some eggs.

reprinted from August 2012

Money No Object For Allentown Public Housing

Cumberland Gardens, operated by The Allentown Housing Authority, was constructed in 1971. Remodeled several times since, it now is going through a three phrase total rehab. The unit cost of this current renovation is $228,000 per apartment. After the first section was completed in 2012, Mayor Pawlowski said, "And the second and third phases I think will not only be more amazing, but transformative to the city of Allentown," Transformations are expensive! Most Allentonians live in row houses built between 1895 and 1930. Many of us would consider a kitchen and bathroom from 1971 modern. The Housing Authority places most it's clients out to private landlords, with vouchers. This system places the cost of excessive wear and tear with the private sector. Considering how much the Authority spends on their own units, they should out source all their clients. Allentown would be a better place with a smaller, less ambitious housing authority; That would be transformative.

Bernie O'Hare also covers this story.

Allentown Memorabilia

The time and market for Allentown memorabilia has come and gone. With a changing population, and the graying of the native town folks, objects of our history are destined for the landfill. Even the local historic society concentrates on shows of general interest, such as Abraham Lincoln. In addition to having been a retail mecca, Allentown manufactured a large assortment of products. Allentown was stamped on tools, knifes, and metal products of all kinds, distributed nationwide. A local regional food product was the hard pretzel, a variation of the traditional German soft pretzel. Allentown had several pretzel companies. Miller's operated out of their factory at 732 Tilghman Street, between 1944 and 1978. In the coming months this blog will profile some of these Made In Allentown products, before litter and meaningless slogans became our legacy.

Clueless On Penn Street

The Allentown School Board took the first step tonight toward approving the KOZ for the Phoenix Mill apartments. They approved a deal sweetener, where the developer will pay 110% of the current tax during the KOZ period, in exchange for burdening the district with countless more children. The City of Allentown represented the interested party, stating with a straight face that the type of loft apartments planned will not attract families with children. One board member actually asked what the city is doing to provide affordable apartments in center city. Actually, there is a special low income rental district, it is from Front Street to 17th, between Walnut and Washington, plus large sections of the east and south sides. The proposal passed 6 to 2.

A Principal's Bad Lesson Plan

When Zahorchak replaced Keith Falko as principal of Allen, this blog posted that it was a mistake. At that time I was in communication with several teachers, and knew what a masterful job Falko was doing with a difficult assignment. For today's post I have no such insider information, just his statements to the press. Apparently, Mr. Mayfield wasn't feeling the love from superintendent Russ Mayo. With that sort of attitude I don't think Mayfield's departure is such a great loss. When Mayfield was hired did he disclose that he needed to be bottle fed regular reassurance? Should students be encouraged to quit whenever they don't feel the love?  An article in today's Morning Call speculates that perhaps the turnover in principals at Allen is the fault of the school administrators, or even the school board. Much was written last fall about Mayfield being the first black principal at Allen.  Perhaps relevant experience should be the primary criterion.

UPDATE: Joanne Jackson, ASD School Board member, tells me that Mayfield did communicate his grievances to Mayo, to no avail.  Jackson believes that Mayo did undermine Mayfield, and likewise alienated other principals and supervisors.

photocredit:The Morning Call

The Hope and Change of Allentown's Transformation

Last week I had a letter to the editor in the Morning Call. It was a rework of an earlier blog post, in which I state that although there will be more lunch business from additional office workers, that will be the extent of any spinoff. I called the arena itself a white elephant. Yesterday, I bumped into an acquaintance at the supermarket, a card carrying liberal type. We usually disagree about things in a cordial fashion. In a less than friendly manner, he told me that my letter in the paper was "Just nasty." I asked him if he though that the arena projects would change things, and that Allentown would be a day destination and a nightspot?

He replied, "No, not right away, but maybe with time, you gotta start somewhere."

I told him that it either works or it doesn't. Furthermore, it will have it's biggest draw when new, and that the bloom will fade fast. He's hoping that I'm wrong.

The Sign of Hypocrisy

Very early this morning I was amused by the article in The Morning Call speaking of something new coming to downtown Allentown, an electronic billboard. I thought I had put the soon to be demolished Monument Building to rest, but now it features in yet another story of Allentown's double standards. Before the Mayor forced the owner to lock the doors, he had installed the exact type of new billboard coming to Allentown. I apparently was not the only one shaking my head over this story. Before 7:00AM I received the following comment.

  In regards to the future digital billboards: The sad part is that a business man had this same idea and placed a beautiful sign on the side of the 645 Hamilton Street building only to have ut turned off due to City politics.. Everything that is being thought of as new and innovative was proposed and DONE by individuals 6-10 years ago who took it "upon themselves" to make Allentown a better City. Unfortunately, we received no support so many have left or became apathetic... SMH Alfonso Todd

There is actually a proud tradition of signs in center square.  For many years during the golden era a large illuminated Neuweiler Beer sign stood atop the Whelan Drugstore, on the northwest corner.  Back to the hapless Monument owner and his innovative sign.  The sign was up for a number of months and being tolerated by the city, until one faithful day.  As a favor to the coffee shop owner,  the sign company programmed an ad for Lou Hershman running for office, just as Mayor Pawlowski was walking down the street.  The Mayor blew his fuse, and the sign shortly thereafter, when the city threw every sign law on the book at the owner.

 The billboard is actually still mounted to the building, as a testament to this hypocrisy.   Is it the same billboard firm now hired by the city to place billboards on certain streets, including N. 7th? I'll leave some meat on the bone for the paper to discover, when they adopt this story.
photocredit:molovinsky

reprinted from August 2012

UPDATE:The post above is from August of 2012. Since that time the building shown, The Monument Building, has been demolished, and a new building is being constructed by J.B. Reilly, using state tax dollars under the NIZ. Last night, Abe Atiyeh challenged the exception clause to the new zoning law, in regard to the new electronic billboard contract with the city.  Although that story is expertly covered by both Bernie O'Hare's Ramblings and The Morning Call,  this blog is uniquely positioned to add some  historical perspective and irony.

The Sad Secrets Of Union Terrace

The pond at Union Terrace was created for a particular activity. Only the steel sculptor cutouts of ice skaters remain as a testimony to that purpose and era. The Cedar Creek divides into two branches on the north side of the pond. The western branch flows in front of the amphitheater stage, separating it from the terraces. The eastern branch flows on the other side of the pond, near the elementary school. That smaller branch also flows under Union Street. Shown above is the opening under Union Street, next to the school;  It's not much of a lesson or example for the school children. I would like to tell you that the litter and garbage is recent, but it's been there for a long time. Although the city is generous with tickets and fines to homeowners, they're pretty lenient with their own negligence. Things will only get worse when the water department separates from the city next month.

Duck Farm and Hotel

At the turn of the last century Allentonians could take a day trip out to Griesemerville, and spend the day at the Duck Farm and Hotel. The trolley, operated by Reading Traction Company, actually went through the Duck Farm building. That same trolley would continue west and go through or under the Dorney Park roller coaster. Today, Griesemerville is known as Union Terrace, or more precisely, Joseph S.  Daddona Lake and Terrace. The Hotel portion still exists as an apartment house. Heading west,  cross the Reading Road stone arch bridge, built in 1824, and the former hotel is the first building on your right. Note the bridge in the lower left of the above news clipping. This blog is proud to have played a part in preserving the bridge, and my hope is that the County of Lehigh will formally recognize the bridge's historic value, and secure it's future. Collectors of Lehigh Valley historic memorabilia can still find  Duck Farm postcards.

news clipping courtesy of Danny Ruth

No Sewage Leak At Union Terrace

There is no sewage leaking from the Union Street Bridge construction site. A set of circumstances steered me to an erroneous concern, and another postponed this clarification, until now. Allentown water drinkers must be content with their fecal input from the overflowing manhole covers along the Little Lehigh. Continuing today's theme of broken eggs, I suppose I may have some on my face. Although I apologize for any offense this blog caused anybody connected with the bridge project, my scrutiny will continue; The construction site is transversed by aging water and sewer mains. Residents of Allentown don't have many independent eyes looking after them. We are a one party town, with less than an energized press. I will endure an occasional unfounded concern as part of the mission.

Breaking Some Eggs

I'm afraid that once again some eggs got dropped in the 2011 recipe for molovinsky on allentown. Don't blame this chef if the politicians and newspaper don't always deal from the top of the deck, and I take notice. This blog realized early on that Zahorchak's Pathway to Success was anything but, and apparently responded appropriately, considering his departure before school ended. Along the way, The Morning Call helped itself to one of my reports, and defended the snatch. Those dropped eggs are a mess. Speaking of eggs, one of my favorite posts of the year was titled Boxing Eggs. In that post, I recall working in my father's market, and the ride there. Such posts allow me to introduce Allentown history, and share photographs of that by-gone era. I also promote 95 year old boxers, who fought in the 1930's. Occasionally. I get to combine history and current political mistakes, such as in Saving the Queen City. I also stretch the recipe to advocate, be it for the abused former merchants of Hamilton Street, or the neglected WPA park structures. The comment section of molovinsky on allentown is moderated. I reject repetitive and off topic submissions. Your readership, as always, is greatly appreciated.
UPDATE: I have reprinted the post above from January 2012 because once again I have broken some eggs, this time with my Sewer Leak, Maybe post at Union Terrace. Although I hoped to post a conclusive update by now, myself and others continue to be confused by some unusual devices being deployed on site.

Allentown, Flush With Cash

We in the peanut gallery, the citizens and taxpayers, were shocked by the subtitle in a recent Morning Call article. Pawlowski wants to buy a portion of Queen City Airport, and the reporter wrote about Allentown, Now flush with water lease money. Although the article dealt with buying a garage and eight acres currently leased by the city street department, silly us thought that money was in a lock box, to be used to pay down the police pension obligation. Let's talk more of our ignorance and silliness. Although I followed the water lease pretty closely, I never realized that we would have to form a new department to handle the storm sewer system, which was maintained by the former water department. What other issues and costs were omitted to prevent proper due diligence on the water lease question? Queen City is in real jeopardy as an airport. Mayor For Life Pawlowski covets it, and was appointed to the Airport Authority by Smiling Donny Cunningham. Airport Authority Chairman, Tony Iannelli, said that they need money and that the offer makes sense. I think it's time for some new blood on that airport authority.

Sewer Leak Problem, Maybe

I was a smoker for over 40 years, so I don't smell much, but I can smell the odor from the water on the other side of the cofferdam, shown above. This is a difficult post to write, because both the construction company and the city say there's no leak, no problem. I can tell you that the water on the northern end of the trench, shown above, is greenish and putrid. Water on the southern end of the trench, being dug for a new storm sewer line, is much cleaner and doesn't smell. I can tell you that the green putrid water is being pumped out by a long hose, across the creek, where it is being treated by a large filter device, just south of the amphitheater stage. It is my fear that perhaps a sanitary sewer line was either nicked in the excavation, or a previously leaking line was unearthed. As an advocate for the parks, I feel compelled to shine a light on this situation, awkward as it may be. If my fear is unfounded, which I hope it is, my apology to any offended parties. The Allentown drinking water is taken from that creek, about a mile downstream.
UPDATE: Both the title and text of this post have been revised.
UPDATE Wednesday July 17, 2013: Further inquires indicate that there is NOT a sewage leak. I hope to be able to write a separate, conclusive correction to this post in the near future.

Sabotaging Our History

Glenn Solt, Director of Public Works for Lehigh County, is used to getting his way. During the Cunningham era he had quite the run at replacing bridges. First he started with the bridges that needed replacing, then he continued on to other bridges, after establishing a relationship with certain engineering firms and contractors. Shown above is the Reading Road Stone Arch Bridge, built in 1824. It was completely refurbished in 1980, with a pedestrian bridge added at that time. Although state inspectors deemed the bridge satisfactory, Solt set his sights on it anyway. It's historical aspect means absolutely nothing to him. He told a blogging associate that those old stone bridges are filled with crap on the inside. Although the County Commissioners saved the bridge by not authorizing the release of the funds for the engineering contract, Solt is trying to have the last say by denying normal maintenance to the historic structure. The bridge surface has not been sealed in years, the inside stones have not been pointed, nor has the rusting beam on the pedestrian span been painted. Lehigh Valley has a bad habit of neglecting maintenance on any structure that ever had any discussion concerning replacement. That is exactly why Allentown's 15th Street Bridge was allowed to rust away. Perhaps it's the Public Works Directors that need replacing.

Jewish Das Boot

The Israeli submarine fleet consists of three small boats, German made diesel-electrics, named Dolphins. The boats are early 1990 design. Two are stationed in the Mediterranean, and one supposedly in the Red Sea. Three more Dolphins are on order, and expected to arrive by 2013. Military analysts consider these Israel's second strike weapon, and may be armed accordingly.

reprinted from September 2011

UPDATE: There is speculation that a Dolphin submarine was used by Israel in a recent attack on a missile cache in Syria.

Zeppelin Over Jerusalem

The German airship LZ127 Graf Zeppelin was in service from 1928 to 1937. Two of it's 590 flights were over Jerusalem. The first occurred on March 26, 1929. It was a night flight, during which they dropped mail into the German colony at Jaffa. The second flight, pictured above, was from Cairo on April 11, 1931. The ship hovered above the Church of Holy Sepulchre for several minutes.

reprinted from May 2011

Tough Summer For Union Terrace

Union Terrace was the last major project completed by the WPA in the Allentown park system. The City, in the process of replacing the Union Street bridge over the Cedar Creek, has leveled the last thirty feet of the terraces, and taken down the WPA stone retaining wall, on the terrace's south end. I've been told that upon completion of the project, estimated at two years, the original stone will be used to face a new concrete wall. Under that section of the creek, under the former bridge, both a water and sewage main are buried. More on those issues in a future post. Although we are spending close to $300 million on the hockey arena, not one cent has been spent on the WPA stone work. The double stairwell, leading from St. Elmo Street to the terraces, needs immediate work. The top of the wall is starting to crumble, and stones are missing on the steps. Allentown, a city with misplaced priorities.

UPDATE: Years ago when Mr. Berman placed the art work in the Allentown Park system many of the citizens were outraged.Now a generation later the Park System infrastructure is falling down and there is no outrage.What a change of priorities.     submitted anonymous comment

click photo to enlarge

Lehigh Valley Railroad

The Lehigh Valley Railroad began as an carrier of anthracite coal in 1846. At it's peak, it stretched from the docks of New York harbor to Lake Erie. Although mostly a freight carrier serving the hearths of Bethlehem Steel, it operated a well known passenger line from New York City to Buffalo, The Black Diamond. As a child in the 1950's, I would sit in the car with my father waiting for the long freight trains to cross Union Street. A train watch tower stood over the busy crossing. By 1976, remnants of the railroad were absorbed by Conrail. Shown above, from the late 1930's, is the streamlined engine of the Black Diamond.

reprinted from January 2011

UPDATE: The track running along Allentown's new proposed riverfront development is the "Old" main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

Allentown's Planning Puppies

The Morning Call article says that City Planning Commission had some concerns that the waterfront portion of the NIZ might have a negative impact on traffic, but the plans were passed, and the project will proceed on to the next hurdle. That hurdle is if City Council will agree to sell the developers (Mark Jaindl) a piece of land needed as an entrance road. What suspense! What hurdles! What should concern the planning puppies is the old LVRR line still in place, after all these years. This is a true historic treasure of Allentown, and should be retained, perhaps for a future tour train. Shown above was the private engine of Structural Steel, which is the primary location of the proposed new development. At one time the former industrial giant called Allentown, had several fabricators that required their own engines to push material around their plants.

photo from the Mark Rabenold Collection

Stealing Allentown's Treasures

                                                   click photograph to enlarge

The merchants who built Hamilton Street counted on architecture to attract shoppers into their emporiums. Large neon signs wouldn't appear for another fifty years. The soffit and fascia shown above, halfway between 7th and 8th on Hamilton, is one of the most elaborate facades in Allentown. One thing you can say about Allentown City Hall, they never let culture, art, or history get into the way of their plans. As successful cities come to value and profit from their history more and more, Allentown keeps using the standard catalog of proven failures. I know from other projects on Hamilton Street that Pawlowski isn't big on history. The Cityline Building in the 800 Block was permitted to stucco over beautiful brickwork. Sad that the puppies, who are directors at the Art Museum and Historical Society, remain silent on the planned destruction. It's hard to describe the magnificence of the skylight shown below, also in the targeted block. It's very large in three sections, in pristine condition. Should be quite a snack for Pawlowski's bulldozer.
UPDATE: The bulldozer prevailed, and the former architectural treasures of our mercantile history were not preserved, save for this blog's archives. Above is reprinted from May 2011

Allentown's Last Movie Theaters

Architecturally, the 19th Street Theater has no rival. The tile elephant trunks coming down the edges of the facade have delighted viewers since 1928. Up to last year, there was one other Venetian type building in Allentown, in the 700 block of Hamilton, but it was  knocked down to accommodate the arena monstrosity. The 19th Street theater has survived because of it's current affiliation with the Civic Theatre, a non-profit cultural group. Shown above is the Franklin, in the 400 block of Tilghman Street, which survived until 2008. That theater,  built a century ago in 1913,  was also called the Jennette for about forty years.

The Picture Shows of Allentown

There was a time in our center cities when movie theaters dominated the cultural scene.  A few of these old theaters still exist, such as the Boyd in Bethlehem. Allentown had no less than six movie houses, either on or directly off Hamilton Street. Several smaller theaters were scattered in different neighborhoods, such as the Allen and Towne. On Hamilton Street itself, the Colonial and Rialto dominated. Both large ornate theaters, with balconies.



The elaborate promotion shown above for the movie Grand Hotel dates back to 1932. I have been unable to identify which theater or city is shown. The photograph was taken by a professional photographer named Harris, who worked out of the Farr Building in Easton.

reprinted from December of 2009, then titled Before Netflick.
Some comments from that time:LVCI said... Boyd (9th), Earle (8th), Jeanette (Tilghman), Eric (Hamilton), Capri (Hamilton) and of course the big granddaddy The Blvd. Drive-in. The Rialto before a movie theatre was home to live vaudeville acts. The stage one time extended straight out to 10th street before being made into a store front. The Rialto was the 1st theatre to get air conditioning. Before it's 1st fire there was an eating/seating area overlooking the marble lobby entranceway. DECEMBER 27, 2009 AT 1:04 PM
Anonymous said... TO: 1.04 pm The Eric Theater was a relatively new and modern theater built in the mid- to early 1960s. It had nothing in common with the others you mentioned, either historically, or architecturally. It really was not on Hamilton Street. Unlike the great old Allentown movie houses, the Eric was built into a quasi 'strip mall' after all the older structures were demolished and bulldozed. If anything, the theater itself was closer to being located on 4th street, closer to Linden. There were several movie theaters that you missed that were on Hamilton, or reasonably close. I know that there was a smaller theater (torn down in the 1950's or 1940's) on the south side of Hamilton very close to the Merchant's Bank building at 7th and Hamilton. I heard the name mentioned from an 'old-timer', but for the moment it escapes me. Don't forget the Strand, located on north 8th Street, very near to the Farr Building. Anon.
DECEMBER 27, 2009 AT 1:52 PM michael molovinsky said... anon, i believe the missing theater you're thinking of was the midway, where i spent many afternoons watching the matinee's. maybe two serials, such as flash gordon, then 5 cartoons. btw, my photo store, allentown photographic, was in the strand lobby. that part of the building still stands; the actual theater section was used as the farr shoe chain warehouse for many years. the earle was on the parking lot next to it. across the street was the original Look Steak Sandwich shop. DECEMBER 27, 2009 AT 4:48 PM
Anonymous said... Allentown movie theater update, cont'd. From the Allentown 1935-35 City Directory:
Embassy Theater - 28 N. Ninth St.
Park Theater - 823 St. John (today's Zandy's)
State Theater - 35 N. Sixth St.
Transit Theater - 535 Hamilton
Victor Theater - 716 Hamilton
Little Theater - 1333-35 Chew St.

The Last Customer In Allentown

The 700 block of Hamilton Street was the core of Allentown shopping for over 150 years. Even during the heyday of Hess's, it was located between Allentown's department stores. In the last twenty years of center city shopping, it became the primary block. Even in it's last few years, when the demographic changes resulted in a much poorer clientele, an enormous amount of merchandise was still being sold. The Family Dollar store was one of that's chain's most successful locations. As the politicians and newspaper promote the Transformation, foot traffic and resulting walk in business virtually no longer exists. When the new offices and their workers are up and running, what will really happen business wise? Although there will be more mouths to feed during the lunch hour, that will be the extent of the Transformation's spinoff. The former stores and commerce of Hamilton Street will now be occupied by an enormous white elephant, dormant most of the time. Any upscale ventures will learn that the new office workers have no time or interest, beyond feeding their face, during lunch hour. The hotel will transition to apartments, as the folly of that idea becomes quickly apparent. The remainder of Allentown will continue to be ignored, as more and more resources are directed toward the Transformation, to disguise it's failure. A handful of developers will profit enormously, because of the unprecedented use of state tax funds by the NIZ. The remaining taxpayers of Allentown will supplement the folly with increasing property taxes, and punishing water and sewage rates. They will discover the true cost of their local political apathy.

Happy Dependence Day*

Yesterday I went to the Social Security Office, across from the prison, to discuss my retirement options. I was given number 199. In addition to retirement, Social Security also dispenses money for disability. I would say from the gray hair, there were
about three of us contemplating retirement, all the others were for disability. A few middle age men were carrying their fake canes. The canes aren't fake, it's the disabilities. I saw one such gentleman walk in from the parking lot, clearly the cane bore no weight, and was merely a prop. Most of the people waiting were quite young, in their twenties. Disability has been expanded to include mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, additive personality and anger management. I will say many of them did look angry to me. It was hard finding a parking space. Business also looked good at the prison. If Johnny Manana's had gotten these crowds....

*this post is reprinted from 2008 and 2011, when it was titled as Growth Industry In Allentown.  The new title is stolen from Julian Stolz

Israel's First Air Force

Jerusalem

In the city of awe-inspiring sites, the most imposing is The Dome of the Rock. The Dome covers the Rock from which Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven to receive a message from Allah. The Jews believe the rock is the Foundation Stone, from which the world was created. On it, Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac and the Ark of the Covenant stood when the Temple occupied the Mount. The Mount and Temple was enlarged by Herod, during the lifetime of Jesus.

Jews pray at the retaining wall, The Western Wall, which survived the Temple's destruction by the Romans in 70 A.D. The bottom four rows of stones date from Herod, below current street level, there are 17 more layers.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is west of the Temple Mount. The first church was built on the site in the 4th century. Christians believe the church encompasses both the sites; where Jesus was crucified, and also buried and rose from the dead.
reprinted from December, 2011

School Board Masochism

Allentown School District will receive an extra $9.6 million dollars, allowing some positions to be restored, the pending tax rate to be somewhat reduced, and perhaps some additional funds to be held in reserve. The extra windfall is an annual reoccurrence. The question is why would the School Board, year after year, submit itself to the unnecessary rancor and vitriol before receiving the final state contribution? Worse yet, why should teachers have to ride that seesaw of being laid-off, and then rehired? Mike Schlossberg patted himself on the back for helping to get the local extra funds, but then voted against the budget, I assume as a good partisan. As we poison our water in Pennsylvania to benefit the natural gas industry, there's not much done in Harrisburg that impresses me.

UPDATE: Press release from ASD:
 “This is an unprecedented show of commitment to our District from the state,” says Dr. Russell Mayo, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. “We are incredibly grateful to the state and two legislators, in particular – Senator Pat Browne (R) and Representative Mike Schlossberg (D) who have led the charge to support our District and enable us to continue to provide a balanced education to the more than 17,000 students we serve in Allentown.”

Dr. Mayo, fear not, Browne and Schlossberg will give themselves more than enough credit. It's a shame for the teachers who once again have been submitted to this yoyo budget procedure. What can be done about that?

Joseph's Tomb

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place." (Exo 13:19)

For a thousand years, Jews had prayed at and cared for the Tomb of the Patriarch Joseph. The Samaritans had worshipped at the Tomb for 1,700 years.

On October 7, 2000, Ehud Barak ordered Israeli Border Police to withdraw from guarding the Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus (Shechem). Within hours it was destroyed. Since then there has been a pattern of the IDF escorting religious Jews to clean up the destruction, and then more desecration after they leave.

The bones of Joseph which the Children of Israel brought up from Egypt were buried in Shechem in the portion of the field that had been purchased by Jacob. (Joshua 24:32)

In April of 2011, as 15 ultra-orthodox Jews left the Tomb after Passover prayers, a Palestinian policeman opened fire on their 3 vehicles. Several men were wounded, and the 25 year old nephew of an Israeli Government Minister was killed.

The Palestinians once again set fire to the tomb.

reprinted from April 2011

Allentown Parks, An Environmental PlayStation

Over the past five years, older visitors to city parks have noticed that the lawns and meadows adjoining the streams have been allowed to grow wild. While we, who appreciate the view and access to the creeks, see this new model as unkempt, our young politically correct speak of riparian buffers and grow zones. The riparian theory is that the undergrowth keeps the nitrogen runoff from the surrounding neighborhoods from reaching the streams; it soaks it up. In reality, Allentown's storm runoff system is  piped directly into the streams, bypassing the buffers, which are then for naught. This charade continues to downgrade our traditional park system because of money. The Wildland's Conservancy get grants and ignore the pipes, and plants the nonsense. It's easier for the Conservancy to prevail upon the Park Department, than persuade farmers and private land owners beyond the parks, where the effort might really do something. These grants not only pay for the plants, more importantly, they play for the hypocrites' salaries. They are also funded by large corporations, which can feel better about their real pollution. The Allentown Park System has become a feel good, environmental playstation. The Conservancy's new grant is to remove dams in Allentown Parks. This practice, in theory, improves water quality. Just as the storm runoff pipes make the riparian buffers useless, the sewer pipe along the Little Lehigh makes the dam removal just another token project. When I pointed out the overflowing sewage pipe, they switched gears, and now speak of allowing fish to swim upstream. Our wonderful park system even takes care of that issue with the magnificent trout hatchery, on Fish Hatchery Road. Please help me protect and preserve the small iconic dam by the Parkway's Robin Hood Bridge. Let the grant hunters ply their hypocrisy elsewhere. Protect our traditional park system.

shown above are the pipes which release rain water directly into the Cedar Creek, next to the Rose Garden Ponds.

Racism Accusation In Allentown School System

The Morning Call and Express Times have reported that the federal government is making inquires regarding opportunities for minorities in honor, gifted and advanced placement courses in the Allentown School system. These investigations usually result from a complaint. Yesterday, in a Facebook comment, a local Latino accused the school administration of institutional racism.

What will it take until the parents of this district take to the streets. ASD is institutionally hostile to students and educators of color. No question. So what are you going to do about it?

Those making such comments base their accusation on the small number of minorities represented in the administration and teaching staff, vs. the high percentage of minority students in the system. Although minorities are now a majority in the Allentown School System, this transition occurred in just the last decade. The career of the average education professional is about thirty five years. Before the fiscal crunch, when Allentown was in the hiring mode, it took aggressive action looking for minority candidates. Almost half the population of Puerto Rico now resides in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida. Many communities in these states are competing for Hispanic educators. Hispanic teachers cannot be manufactured. The activists should expend their energy cultivating an appreciation of education in their community. In the meantime, they should show more appreciation for the dedicated teachers of ASD.

Allentown's Taste Problem

The Morning Call reports that Sangria, the high end restaurant in the Butz Building, is failing; That's because it never existed in the real marketplace. Butz was given a grant for $350,000 to outfit the place, so he and the operator rode that pony as long as the ride was free. Truth is that none of these high end puppet shows have succeeded, there's no market for such in Allentown. That's because this town has zero ambience. The Cosmopolitan also is a failure, but the owners have pockets deep enough to keep the doors open. The arena will not make Allentown a dining destination. It will attract a hotdog and beer crowd, that will exit this town as fast as a clogged 8th Street will allow. They're building a monstrosity on Hamilton Street, which will not attract one dime beyond those getting the free ride. Thus spoke the marketplace.

School Board Math Test

The Administration has been going around pushing to turn the Phoenix Building into apartments, and give the owner a pass on taxes, to boot. Needless to say, the pitch worked at City Council, what doesn't? That independent body voted 6 to 0 to approve, with Jeanette Eichenwald absent. They're using the old historic name, Adelaide, in their pitch, and the usual buzz words, like loft and young professionals. The developer wants to turn the building into 150 apartments. Unless we learn how to clone young professionals, common sense knows that school age children will be running up and down the hallways at the Phoenix, or Adelaide, or whatever they call it. If many children aren't there for the first wave of tenants, they surely will be, as the bloom fades on that rose, long before the KOZ would expire. What does it cost the Allentown School system to educate 100 to 150 children a year? The taxes on the building are only $18,000. Any more than two students is a loser to the School Board. How many children can they expect from 150 apartments? Why would they even consider approving a tax incentive? Why would the Administration even ask?

The classic postcard shows the building from the rear, facing the Jordan Creek

A Jew At St. George

This weekend I had the pleasure to attend the Heritage Festival at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and the privilege to met Khouria Minerva Sabbagh, wife of Rev. Fr. Anthony Sabbagh. Khouria is a term of honor, conveying the significant role she plays in the life of the church. The numerous children delighted in the kiddie rides, adding smiles and giggles to their heritage experience. Needless to say, the middle eastern food was lovingly made by doting grandmothers. Although the Syrian community was out in force, the annual festival attracts a large, diverse crowd. During high school, I would occasionally attend midnight mass with a Syrian friend. In the small world of Allentown, one of Khouria Minerva's daughters is now married into that family. Although the festival was  joyous, with current events, we must keep the Syrian community in our thoughts and prayers.

Allentown Is Open For Business

According to Francis Dougherty, Pawlowski's managing director, the sale of the fire training facility at Queen City Airport "demonstrates to all the rest of the country that Allentown is open for business." I believe that in many ways it demonstrates that Allentown is for sale. The Administration has insinuated that if the Lehigh Valley Hospital couldn't buy that land for expansion, they might well move their lab, costing Allentown many jobs. They now imply that the sale will create more jobs. In reality, it was never said that the parcel was wanted for anything but additional parking. Queen City contains acres of paved area which could have been rented for parking. Dougherty also said that the fire training facility will be moved to the police academy in Lehigh Parkway, creating a "center of public safety training excellence." When I first starting posting about this sale last year, I wrote that we are headed toward such a facility. Consequently, we will create a Public Safety Director, and support staff. How ironic that the Fire Chief has such sugar plums in his head, while construction still hasn't started on the East Side Fire Station. The future Public Safety Center will further infringe upon the public's park land in Lehigh Parkway. With Dougherty calling City Council's approval "a partnership to bring sustaining jobs to the community", don't be surprised in the future to see more parcels shaved off Queen City and Lehigh Parkway.

*The provided link goes to the Morning Call  Blog 610.  There was also an article in Saturday's hard copy Morning Call, however, I'm unable to locate the story on mcall and provide that link.  Both those articles were written by Emily Opilo.

Below is a reprint from my post of July 2012, entitled The Fire Tower Caper

A molovinsky on allentown exclusive. The residents of Allentown are being told that if we do not sell the fire training tower to the Lehigh Valley Hospital Laboratory for expansion, we're in danger of losing a large employer. It appears much more likely that it's the back end of a long standing plan, and that the hospital is accommodating us. There have been plans for at least two years for a new fire training facility, and the city has been soliciting grants for such. The multi-story, multi-million dollar training facility is to be built adjoining the police academy in Lehigh Parkway. The location is the road and hill currently used as the temporary exit road for the park,  and also used as the exit during the Lights In Parkway. In the past this area served the public as park land, used for many years by model plane enthusiasts. The new training center would bring all the heavy fire equipment from nearby counties, necessitating a wider road, moved further east of the current single lane exit road. This would be in line with the new park tradition of spreading more macadam. molovinsky on allentown has also learned that with new adjoining police and fire training facilities, there is discussion of a new position, Public Safety Director. The Director would oversee Police, Fire and EMS. The new position would require appropriate assistants and secretaries, in The City Without Limits. 

The above is my post from July 2012, entitled The Fire Tower Caper.  Allentown City Council approved the sale this past Wednesday, June 19th,  2013.   

Allentown Raises School Tax 38%

You won't read this headline in today's  Morning Call, it simply says that we are rehiring five gym teachers. My post yesterday concentrated of the consequences of living within our school budget. Although the post was concise, as per my style, I had done my homework. Conversations with Armstrong and Zimmerman revealed that they would not support any rehires, while we faced an 8.5% tax increase for the next four years. Last night the remainder of their peers voted to bring back the elementary level gym teachers. It is reasonable to expect even more rehires will occur when the State Budget reveals a few more dollars for Allentown. By not applying the found dollars to the general fund, the School Board is ensuring that the full tax increases will be levied. This approach in four years will yield an effective tax increase of 38%. The suburban school tax increase this year averaged 2.8%. Although yesterday I tried not to stake out a position on the rehiring, I can tell you that unabated tax increases will have dire consequences in the sought after middle class home market. While we are diverting close to a $Billion Dollars in state income taxes to gentrify Hamilton Street, we are squeezing the joy out of both our children and homeowners.

UPDATE: Rolf Oeler wonders in a comment if Scott Armstrong will be reelected.  On a Facebook page I visited today,  an administrator at a local charity called Armstrong a troll and useless.  A teacher from Dieruff called him a stupid ass.   I suspect that with the 8.5% tax increase, he will be reelected if he articulates his position to the taxpayers.  In a few years, when the increase reaches 38%,  his positions will be appreciated even more.  However, I doubt that he will tolerate the abuse for that long.

Allentown School Board

Allentown School Board picked up another $350,000 this week, and at least two members, President Bob Smith and board member Joanne Jackson, want to bring back at least five laid off teachers. Smith favors bringing back elementary level gym teachers. Jackson, a former teacher herself, needs no convincing. Usually, by the time the state budget is finished at the end of June, there are more funds available for the district. With a school tax increase of over 8% this year, some board members instead favor applying the additional funds to decrease the rising homeowner burden. Board member Scott Armstrong believes that bringing back a few teachers is only a temporary false reprieve, and not facing fiscal reality, which is an 8% increase each year, for the next four years. Member David Zimmerman would also not rehire any teachers. Hiring back teachers, who have already received their pink slip, actually only increases and complicates the long term pension obligation. The school situation is dire. We face more layoffs, increasing taxes, and school closings. One wonders why we built new buildings in this financial climate? Both the federal and state governments impose essentially unfunded mandates in both testing and performance. A state takeover would provide no benefit, there's no magic in Harrisburg. I personally know both camps on the school board. Although they have different approaches to our problems, they all have a deep regard for the students of Allentown. I believe that those students will continue to find dedicated teachers that provide a quality education even under these difficult conditions.

Allentown Meat Packing Co.

My grandfather lived on the corner of Jordan and Chew, and butchered in a small barn behind the house. He would deliver by horse and wagon to his customers, corner markets. The house is still there, the barn, long gone. My father, and one of his brothers, acquired the H.H. Steinmetz packing house in 1943. Operating as Allentown Meat Packing, by 1950 they closed the slaughter house, and converted the front of the plant into a meat market open to the public. That continued to 1970, when it was leased to an operator who sold meat by freezer full packages. In 1975 the building was torn down, as part of a long term lease agreement with A&B, who wanted the space for parking. The photo was taken just prior to demolition.

reprinted from January 2011

Abandoned West Channel Of The Lehigh River

I made an inquiry to Allentown Public Works about the history of the river abandonment, and they were kind enough to research the topic and return my call. They located the map from 1964, which indicates the planned abandonment, apparently approved by the State. Coincidentally, the map partially shown above, was my father's copy, with added markings. The map key, not shown, indicates that parcel 1* is owned by Molovinsky. This was the location of my father's meat packing business, which I will discuss in a separate post, in the near future. Although Public Works agrees with my speculation that the channel was eliminated to protect the sewage plant from flooding, no document was located to verify the reason. The map does mark the former western lower channel of the river as part of the creek, and clearly shows how this project altered the confluence of the creek and river.

*Parcel 1 on Union Street, Molovinsky (Allentown (Meat) Packing Company),  is to the immediate right of the added inked area, also marked 1. At the bottom of the inked 1, the current entrance road to the treatment plant is also indicated in ink.  Click map to enlarge.

A Changing Confluence

Future cartographers will locate the confluence of the Little Lehigh Creek and the Lehigh River as south, and slightly east of the current LCA sewage plant. Historians will know better. Up to forty years ago, nature joined the Little Lehigh with with western channel of the Lehigh, halfway down the side of Kline's Island. Around 1970, the City of Allentown decided to reclaim the river channel north of the confluence, ending Kline's status as an island. What is now the last section of the Little Lehigh, was previously the Lehigh. The map shown was produced in 1900. Also gone from current geography is the man made harbors, shown north of the Hamilton Street bridge. The new google map shows that the

former bridge to Kline's Island still stands, crossing the now reclaimed former west channel of the Lehigh River. Also visible is the footprint of Allentown's former gas tank.