This Week in Easton, August 6 to 9

"This Week in Easton" lists what's happening during the weekdays, from special events to who's playing to government meetings, all in one handy place. Not just in the City of Easton, but for the entire greater Easton area...Published every Monday!

Monday, August 6

Palmer Township Board of Supervisors meeting: 7 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Tuesday, August 7

National Night Out: Various locations in the City of Easton.

Easton City Council workshop meeting: 6 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Movies in the Park - "A Smile as Big as the Moon": 8 p.m. Movie begins at dark. A special education teacher, his class and their inspiring journey through U.S. space camp. Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 901 Philadelphia Road.

School of Creative Arts parents’ informational meeting: 7 p.m. Child-care & refreshments provided. Building academic skills through a Christ-centered arts-integrated curriculum. Preschool to 12th grade neighborhood school. Class size limited; Small Teacher to Student Ratio, 1:10. Registered with the PA Dept. of Education as a private, non-licensed school. At Legacy Ministries, 12th and Spruce streets. 610-217-8396 or soca.thewestwardacademy.com

Palmer Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting: 7:30 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Wednesday, August 8

Easton City Council regular meeting: 6 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Jam Night with Lady C & The Boys: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bella Luna, 3417 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.610-905-1558

Williams Township Board of Supervisors meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Recreation Board meeting: 7 p.m. 655 Cider Press Road, Easton (Williams Township).

Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Free. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Traditional Irish open jam session: 7:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Movies in the Park - "A Smile as Big as the Moon": 8 p.m. Movie begins at dark. A special education teacher, his class and their inspiring journey through U.S. space camp. Nevin Park, between Taylor Avenue and East Lafayette Street.

Thursday, August 9

Summer in the Square: Noon to 1 p.m. Patchwork Puppet Theatre. Weather permitting. Southwest quadrant of Centre Square.

Easton Health Department meeting: 6 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Karaoke with DJ Dave: 7 to 10 p.m. Champ's Corner, 228 West Canal St. 610-253-6905 or http://www.larryholmes.com/Champs_Corner.html

Forks Township Planning Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Building, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Ojespa Jazz Project: 8 to 11 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Movies in the Park - "A Smile as Big as the Moon": 8 p.m. Movie begins at dark. Ninth and Washington streets.

Open Mic with Nick Levinos: 9:30 p.m. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Is there a community or entertainment event you'd like to see here? Are you organizing something you'd like to have posted? Did we miss something? Email us!

Scene in Easton: 35th Annual Lebanese Heritage Days Festival

The 35th Annual Lebanese Heritage Days Festival is being held this weekend at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church at South Fourth and Ferry streets.

A favorite event of not only church members, but many others in the area as well, the festival offers tons of authentic Lebanese food, desserts, goods, music and of course, dancing.

Here are some scenes from Saturday. The event continues today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To view a larger version of any photo, just click on it.

Weekend Guide, August 3 to 5

Easton's most comprehensive guide to what's happening over the weekend, in the city and beyond. Published every Friday!

Friday, August 3

Easton Restaurant Week: Continues through Saturday. Restaurants offer fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner. Restaurants include Sette Luna, Vintage Restaurant and Bar, RiverGrille, Ocean, Valenca, Megs and Mads, Sole Mio Italian Gril, Leaf Restaurant & Cigar Bar, and more. Click here for more details.

Family Festival: 6 to 9 p.m. Rain date is Aug. 10. Christ Evangelical Congregational Church of Williams Township, 2100 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township. 610-252-7646

Friday Night Dancing on the Odds: Learn to waltz, 7 to 8 p.m. Dancing 8 to 10 p.m. $10 benefits Third Street Alliance. At Third Street Alliance, 41 North Third St. www.thirdstreetalliance.org

Lehigh Valley Tea Party meeting: 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Jennifer Huha, professional geologist and site operations manager for Groundwater and Environmental Services, Inc. (GES), will be the guest speaker and will discuss the process of developing the Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction industry in Pennsylvania.. Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. www.lvtp.org

Live at Riverside - James Supra Blues Band: 7:30 p.m. Arrive early at 7 p.m. to enjoy a live performance by the Easton School of Rock Band. Riverside Park Amphitheater, Larry Holmes Drive, just north of the free bridge.

Karaoke with Nort: 9 p.m. Rip Van Winkle's Pub, 3700 Nicholas St., Palmer Township. 610-258-8873

Steve Kelly & Mark Fahad: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Trouble City AllStars: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Saturday, August 4

Madame Mim's Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting: 10:30 a.m. The Easton Business Association hosts a ribbon cutting for this New Age boutique and learning center. Visit with spiritual guides and artists. Free entry to win prizes. Madame Mim's, 22 North Third St. 610-829-0661 or www.facebook.com/MadameMimsNewAge

Easton Restaurant Week: Today is the last day! Restaurants offer fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner. Restaurants include Sette Luna, Vintage Restaurant and Bar, RiverGrille, Ocean, Valenca, Megs and Mads, Sole Mio Italian Gril, Leaf Restaurant & Cigar Bar, and more. Click here for more details.

Second Phase on South Third Street: 11 a.m. Join local artists as they work towards capturing this transition in Easton's history. South Third Street.

Young Authors' Fest 2012: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 35 authors including Jonathan Maberry, Cyn Balog, Michelle Zink, Shannon Delaney, Chris Benoit, Josh Berk, and Maria V. Snyder. Panel discussions "for Those who Love to Read YA," 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and "For Aspiring Writers," 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., interactive Master Berk Theatre featuring Josh Berk. Easton Area Public Library, Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Place, Palmer Township. 610-258-7492 or www.eastonpl.org

Lebanese Heritage Days 35th Annual Festival: 5 p.m. to midnight. Lebanese food, pastries, children's activities, market place, and live music and dancing. Free admission. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, South Fourth and Ferry streets. www.mountlebanon.org

Texas Hold'em: 7 and 9 p.m. Free. La Pazza Bar, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Modern Romance: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Rainbow Fresh: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Sunday, August 5

Center for Animal Health and Welfare cat meet and greet: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet some feline friends! Pet Supply Plus, 4403 Southmont Way, Suite 4, Palmer Township. 610-252-7722 or www.healthyanimalcenter.org

Lebanese Heritage Days 35th Annual Festival: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lebanese food, pastries, children's activities, market place, and live music and dancing. Free admission. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, South Fourth and Ferry streets. www.mountlebanon.org

Band Concert at Meuser Park - David Neith Orchestra: 7 to 9 p.m. Meuser Park, Northampton Street, at 23rd Street, Wilson Borough. www.wilsonborough.org/category/community

Are you planning an event? Did we miss something? Let us know! Email us.

"Cash for Gold," "Fortune Tellers," Halfway Houses and Hookahs Come Before Planning Commission

By Christina Georgiou

Complaints and concerns from some citizens have prompted the city planning department to present suggestions for possible changes to various zoning definitions to the Easton Planning Commission for consideration, Planning Director Becky Bradley said Wednesday evening.

Highest on the priority list are shops that offer "Cash for Gold," but better defining where beer distributors, "fortune tellers," halfway houses and shops that sell smoking accessories may also be up for changes as well.

"Cash for Gold" establishments, along with others who offer cash for precious metals, will likely be considered pawn shops and restricted to zoning areas where those are permitted.

"We would like also to limit those to areas where pawnshops are already allowed--the adaptive reuse districts, and that's not Downtown," Bradley said.

The possible changes to the wording of the law will have to be crafted to clearly define those businesses and not allow them to be confused with coin dealers, jewelers, other metal recycling operations or federally regulated financial institutions, officials noted.

While there are already three pawnshops located on the city's Centre Square, they will not be affected by any changes as they are pre-existing, Bradley said. She added that if and when those businesses ever close shop, new ones will not be allowed to be located there.

A recent application for a new beer distributorship that was denied is the impetus for a probable change in zoning regulations for that commercial use, Bradley said.

Currently, beer is considered "general merchandise," she said, but with the loading and unloading needs of a business that sells beer by the case or by the keg, a special designation for that use is warranted.

"We just want to stay above the fray with that license," Bradley said.

Planning Commission Chairman Charles Elliott requested a list of the current beer distributors in the city, so the commission can compare locations, parking and other factors before making a decision.

Possibly restricting "fortune telling" services to certain parts of the city, or prohibiting them from operating on the first floor of buildings is more about the possibility of "ghost hunters" wanting to locate within city limits more than the fear of a sudden influx of card and palm readers, Bradley said.

"We really just want to deal with ghost hunters and stuff," Bradley said. "We've been approached by people that see those shows and have all this equipment and want to open a business like that."

Elliot noted the possible restrictions on "fortune telling" would apply only business operations, not individuals who engage in divination practices at home or for free for friends.

"But we're not going to shut down the State Theatre because there's a ghost there," he said.

Planning Commission member Dennis Lieb said he was unsure such potential businesses needed to be zoned restrictively.

"I think there's a difference between someone offering less than market value for something because they really need the money, and someone who's stupid enough to give someone money for ghost busting," Lieb said.

Multiple illegal re-entry facilities are causing problems in the city, Bradley said, moving on to the subject of halfway houses. She added that the legal ones are doing a good job.

A good place for them might be along Washington Street, she said, because the location is close to the courts, as well as close to public transportation, shopping, and other city amenities.

The possible switch would only apply to rehab and re-entry facilities with multiple units and that offer psychological and other services that are delivered on-site, not private residences, Bradley added.

Shops that sell waterpipes and other less conventional smoking accessories may also face some zoning hurdles in the future.

Currently, they are considered "general merchandise" or "retail specialty" shops, but there is the possibility that could change.

"What's happening is we've got some tobacco shops that are in danger of becoming paraphernalia shops," Bradley said.

Commission member Ron Shipman said that if the merchandise is illegal, the Easton Police Department should handle the matter and the city shouldn't attempt to legislate something that is illegal.

Fellow Commissioner William Heilman also said he doubted a change in zoning regulations on the matter is a good idea.

"So a $40 mahoghany pipe is intended for tobacco, but a blown glass $2.50 pipe isn't? That's a slippery slope," Heilman said.

Bradley admitted such legislation would be tricky, saying that local revitalization organizations, such as Easton Main Street, like the idea of "high end cigar bars," similar to Leaf in Forks Township, but are not keen on "hookah lounges." She added that it is illegal for the city to legislate based on the owner or one special interest group's perception of the use as long as it's not prohibited.

"Those places can open and they're perfectly legal. So why do we want to touch it?" asked Heilman. "I don't think we want to touch it."

The matter of zoning definitions will likely be revisited at the next Planning Commission meeting in September, or in October, Bradley said.

Pomeroy Gets Green Light for Second Building, Easton Home to

By Christina Georgiou

The second portion of the Pomeroy building redevelopment was given a unanimous nod of approval from the Easton Planning Commission Wednesday evening, and construction work on the back portion of the site is expected to begin in 30 to 45 days.

Developer Mark Mulligan said the 90 percent of the apartments in the front portion of the property have been already leased.

"So the demand in 60 days was great. It even surprised us," Mulligan said.

The second building will include 22 more apartments similar to those on Northampton Street, along with medical and professional offices with some already under agreementwith Easton Hospital, and a small personal training gym in the basement, along with resident storage. That building, which was formerly part of the Northampton Street structure, was detached as part of the redevelopment plan and faces Pine Street.

Mulligan said prices in the second phase of the project are likely to be more expensive.

"We're going to be raising prices," he said. "We have a waiting list of people that want to live in the tower."

The courtyard between what is now two buildings will likely have tables and chairs, but whether they are for residents or will be outdoor seating for a second restaurant on the site is yet to be determined.

Maxim's 22, a new restaurant being opened by the owners of Sette Luna on Ferry Street, has decided they will place their outdoor seating on Bank Street, Mulligan said.

"The configuration of the courtyard will be determined," he added.

Representatives of Easton Home also appeared before the board to discuss a planned expansion of their facilities to include independent living senior apartments. However, as some critical parts of the plan are not yet complete, including stormwater management details, the board didn't vote on the matter, though they said they have no problems with what has been presented so far.

"The project overall meets the criterion...but we're not there yet when it comes to details," said Planning Director Becky Bradley.

The senior living facility's expansion will include two new buildings near the corner of South 10th and Northampton streets, which will adjoin the current assisted living home. A total of 104 one- and two-bedroom apartments, intended for low- to moderate-income seniors age 55 and older, are planned for the site.

Representatives for Presbyterian Senior Living, who owns the facility, said they are seeking the preliminary approval vote to help them get a tax credit application approved, a critical part of the financing they're seeking. The deadline is in October.

The matter is expected to be revisited in September. If the plans cannot be approved by then, they hope to at least get a letter of support for the project's intent from the planning commission, representatives said, adding that municipal support for the project is crucial to their tax credit application being approved.

Sigal Museum Closed Until Tuesday

The back entrance to the Sigal Museum was blocked off Wednesday
evening, and the vault that caught fire fenced in, awaiting repairs.
The museum is set to reopen on Saturday morning.

The Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society's Sigal Museum will remain closed until Saturday Tuesday, Aug. 7, the site has announced.

Having suffered an electrical fire Wednesday in an underground vault, the museum needs to undergo necessary repairs, it reports on its Facebook page.

A lecture on the history of Roseto, scheduled for this evening, will be rescheduled.

The museum's birthday celebration, set for next weekend, is unaffected.

The museum is located at 342 Northampton St. More information about the Sigal and upcoming events may be found on the museum website.

Updated on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 4:23 p.m. to reflect delay in reopening.

Scene in Easton: State Theatre Ticket Sales Begin for Members

The State Theatre box office opened for ticket sales to members this morning, and the line was stretched around the block before dawn.

Illusionist David Caserta, who will perform at the theater on Oct. 27, was also hanging around, literally, from the venue's marquee, during the early morning ticket sales.

The box office opened at 6 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., the line appeared to be moving at a reasonably rapid pace.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on August 15 at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit www.statetheatre.org