This Week in Easton, February 3 to 6

So there's more snow. Blame the groundhog, or blame February...or just make a snow angel!

Monday, February 3

AARP Palmer Township Area Chapter 2144 Meeting: 1 p.m. Steven Uhas, pharmacist and owner of Neighbor Pharmacy in Forks Township will discuss generic drugs and Medicare Part D. For members, yearly membership is $5. Wilson Borough Community Center, 2200 Liberty St., Wilson Borough.

The regularly scheduled Palmer Township Supervisors meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items

Easton Zoning Hearing Board meeting: 6:30 p.m. Easton City Hall, 1 South Third St., sixth floor.

Wilson Area School Board meeting: 7 p.m. William P. Tollinger Administration Building, 2040 Washington Boulevard, Wilson Borough.

Trivia Night: 8 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Tuesday, February 4

Independent Transportation Network Lehigh Valley Volunteer Driver Information session: 9 to 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be available. Diner 248, 3701 Easton-Nazareth Highway (Route 248), Easton (Lower Nazareth Township). 610-419-1645

Duplicate Bridge: 11:30 a.m. Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St.
 
Safe Harbor Medical Clinic: 6 to 10 p.m. Free, for those without health insurance and in need of medical care. Advance appointments are requested. Safe Harbor Easton, 536 Bushkill Drive. To schedule an appointment, call 610-258-5540, email trogers@safeharboreaston.org, or stop by in person Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Bingo: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, corner of South Fourth and Ferry streets.

Line Dancing: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Beginner lessons 7:15 p.m. Open dancing follows. $5 per person. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Trivia Night: 7 to 10 p.m. Hosted by comedienne Liz Russo. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.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, February 5

Easton Planning Commission meeting: 6:30 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, sixth floor, 1 South Third St.

Strong Foundations Charter School Public Hearing: 7 p.m., with an executive session preceding the hearing at 6 p.m. Snow date is Thursday, February 6. Easton Area Middle School , auditorium, 1010 Echo Trail, Forks Township.

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Registration is 15 minutes prior to each game. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

BC Combo: 7 p.m. Vintage Restaurant at The Club at Morgan Hill, 100 Clubhouse Drive. 610-923-8480 or www.vintagerestaurantandbar.com

Stevie Vicks Duo: 7 p.m. Widow's Tavern, 200 Main St., Stockertown. 610-365-8890 or www.widowstavern.com

Waver Wednesday: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. All new wave, dark wave, indie and electronica music, with DJ Brad Scott Smith and DJ Mumbler.  Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Open Mic with Scott Harrington: 9:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Thursday, February 6

Williams Township Landfill Advisory Committee meeting: 8 a.m. Williams Township Municipal Office, 655 Cider Press Road, Easton (Williams Township)

Cops 'n Kids Reading Room open: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Children receive three free books for visiting. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

Forks Township Board of Supervisors workshop meeting: 7 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Complex, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Fry's Run Watershed Association Meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Office, 655 Cider Press Road, Easton (Williams Township)

Game Night: Available for your endless enjoyment and nostalgic lapses are a wide assortment games we all grew up playing, plus, Ring-the-Bull and Shut-the-Box. La Pazza Bar, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Bring (or wear) Your Own Vinyl night: 8 p.m. to midnight. With the Easton Record Exchange. Black & Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or www.blackandblueeaston.com

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

Karaoke: 8 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Open Mike with Carter Lansing: 9:30 p.m. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

"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 morning!

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!

Police Looking for Driver Who Led Them on Chase

Easton police are looking for the driver of a car that led officers on a chase through the city, Wilson Borough and West Easton in the early hours of Saturday morning, eventually abandoning the vehicle in which heroin which was apparently packaged for sale was found.

Police say an officer on patrol noticed a white Plymouth Voyager traveling south on South 15th Street without its headlights on just before 1:30 a.m. As police attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver turned right on Washington Street and sped away when the officer turned on his lights and siren, police said.

The minivan continued to head west and further south on several streets in Wilson Borough. The driver reportedly struck a parked car on South 17th Street but didn't stop and continued into West Easton, heading west on 10th Street, where it got ahead of police in pursuit by more than a block.

When authorities caught up with the fleeing vehicle, it was found to have struck the rear of a building at 1019 Iron St., and the officer on the scene reported seeing someone wearing either orange or pink climb a fence and flee the area.

Police say the suspect, who has not been identified, escaped, but 34 packets of heroin were found inside the vehicle. They added investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the matter is asked to call the Easton Police Department tip line at 610-250-6635. Callers may remain anonymous.

Boys and Girls Club Program to Feature the Arts

A new after-school program hosted by the Easton Boys & Girls Club designed to open minds of local youth by accentuating their talents, passion, and skills through the arts will hold an introductory session this coming Thursday, February 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the club's Teen Center, 1101 Northampton St.

"In showcasing their talents and learning or adapting new ones, the 'All About the Arts'  program shows members how to open up, become more confident with their peers, and gives youth a platform where they can express themselves while working to develop their routines and stage presence," said program director Jacquline White.

Regular sessions--to be held at the Teen Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and at the Boys & Girls Club, 210 Jones Houston Way, on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., will include dance movements, step/drill team, role-play, and dramatization, along with photography, arts and crafts, singing, fashion, poetry and spoken word, and other arts activities.

The program offers mentors, equipment, space and fosters positive attitudes which are required when practicing and when preparing for dance and artistic performances, White said.

There is no charge to attend Thursday's introductory session, though donations will be accepted at the door.

Activities planned for the event include a performance by the Little Ones United Dancers, presented by 5- to 10-year-old B&G Club members, and a dance by the teen Action Words & Inspiration group. A photo corner, line dancing, and registration for the after-school program will also be part of the evening's activities, which run until 7 p.m.

While not strictly necessary, pre-registration is encouraged to attend.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Jacquline White at 610-253-1102 or at 610-253-5846.

Suspect in December West Ward Shooting Arrested

Jared Alvin, 18, who was named as a suspect
in the shooting of a 27-year-old man that occurred in Easton's
West Ward on December 21 has been arrested
and faces multiple charges, Easton police report.
Contributed photo

Jared Alvin, 18, who was named as a suspect in the shooting of a 27-year-old man that occurred in Easton's West Ward on December 21 has been arrested and faces multiple charges, Easton police said Friday night.

Authorities, who had been investigating and seeking Alvin's whereabouts since the shooting, found him in the area of Spruce and Raspberry streets, located between Ferry and Lehigh streets and between South 14th and 15th streets, in the city's West Ward at about 4 p.m. on Friday, January 31. He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Northampton County Sheriff’s Department and is expected to arraigned at at Northampton County Central Booking sometime tonight, according to a Easton Police Department media release.

Alvin, who police have formerly alleged is a suspected gang member, faces charges of aggravated assault, robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting on Dec. 21.

Easton police said the department will also be filing charges against Alvin for narcotics violations, including possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Easton police said they are not currently releasing any additional information regarding the shooting or the additional narcotics charges, as investigations into both alleged offenses are ongoing.

The Easton Police Criminal Investigations Division had been working in conjunction with multiple agencies in a cooperative effort to locate Alvin, the EPD said.

Drugs, Cash and a Gun Seized in Ferry St. Raids

Simultaneous raids of residences just two doors apart in the 600 block of Ferry Street  resulted in the arrests of two men early this morning, Easton police report.

Arrested at 614 Ferry St. Apt. 2 during the 6 a.m. operation was Richard Wilkins, 30, who is facing charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say they found and seized marijuana with an estimated street value of $1,900 and $200 cash.

At 618 Ferry St. Apt. 3, police say they found a 9mm automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number, crack cocaine, and approximately $2,000 in cash. Timothy Glasgow, 30, was arrested at the scene and faces felony charges of possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer's number, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also seized at the residence was a 2005 Dodge Durango that police say they plan to search and possibly seek for forfeiture.

Investigations leading to the raids were headed by the Easton Police Department Vice Unit, and police say they believe the suspects' activities are connected.

Easton police noted that a Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team assisted in executing the searches.

Both 614 and 618 Ferry St. are owned and operated by real estate management firms, according to online county records.

Updated at 1:08 p.m.

Weekend Guide, January 31 to February 2

It's a big weekend for football and groundhogs...and some really good chili too.

Friday, January 31

Art Opening: 6 to 8 p.m. "The Aesthetics of Personal Proportion" and "Studio Work", but the advanced drawing students of Lehigh University professor and Easton resident Berrisford Boothe. RE:find, 437 Northampton St.

West Coast Swing Dance: 7 to 10 p.m. Instruction with Con Gallagher 7 to 8 p.m.; dancing with DJ Carol Coffinger 8 to 10 p.m. $10 per person. Benefits the Third Street Alliance. 41 North Third St. 610-433-7804 or www.thirdstreetalliance.org

Line Dancing: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Lessons at 7:15 p.m. $5 per person for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Easton School of Rock Presents Wilco, DJ Riske One: SOR at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Sal Ritz & Joe Mixon: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Hot Bijouxx: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Bobby Clark: 9 p.m. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House, 136-138 Spring Garden St. 610-252-3033 or www.colonialpizzapub.com

Family OUT Night: 8 p.m. to midnight. LGBT social with complimentary buffet. Featuring DJ April spinning up some ole skool juke jams. For those over 21. La Pazza Bar, 13th and Ferry streets. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

DJ Mikey Z: 10 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

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

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

DJ Richie Romantz: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Saturday, February 1

"What will the Ground Hog see?": 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Children receive three free books with each visit to the Cops 'n Kids Reading Room too. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562


Easton Farmers' Market Winter Mart Spud Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market vendors will unearth the goodness of America’s favorite veggie by offering a variety of creative potato dishes for breakfast, lunch and take home, including a mashed potato bar with toppings like lobster, bacon and cheese. Mr. Potato Head contest and silly starchy potato crafts too. Live music by Carter Lansing, plus attendees can register to win a 10 lb. bag of potatoes. At the former Weller Center, 325 Northampton St. 610-258-8500 or www.eastonfarmersmarket.com

Live DJs: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. DJ Rabeka (90s, hiphop) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., DJ Dogtrane (hiphop, drum & bass) from 1 to 3 p.m., DJ Awol (jungle) from 3 to 5 p.m., DJ Mumbler (electronica, dubstep, darkwave) from 5 to 7 p.m. Used Grooves, 401 Northampton St. www.usedgrooves.com

Easton School of Rock Presents Wilco, Avenue 16, DJ Riske One: SOR at 5 p.m., band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

EAHS Orchestra Spaghetti Dinner: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Entertainment by the EAHS Orchestra, Chamber String Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, with works to include "Star Trek, The Motion Picture" by Jerry Goldsmith, Henry Mancini compositions including the theme from "The Pink Panther", and a medley of popular tunes from Disney movies. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children 12 and under, proceeds benefit the orchestra's tour to Chicago in May. Menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, dinner rolls, coffee, tea and soft drinks, and home-baked desserts. In the cafeteria at Easton Area High School, William Penn Highway and South 25th Street, Palmer Township. For more information, email here.

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Registration is 15 minutes prior to each game. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

George Kilby Jr.: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Steve Brosky: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Scott Harrington: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Rich Messbauer Trio, Michelle Glick: 9:30 p.m. Lafayette Bar, 11 N. Fourth St. 610-252-0711 or www.lafayettebarjazz.com

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

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

TBA: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Sunday, February 2

 19th Annual Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chefs from about 18 area restaurants will compete, judges and the public decide who makes the best chili. Admission is $5 per person, includes samples of all the entries and the chance to vote. Proceeds benefit the Easton Farmers' Market. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Artists' Talk and Poetry Reading: 12:30 to 3 p.m. The artists of the "All Is Vanity" show. Yevette Hendler, curator Jackie Lima, Hye Jin Kim, Elizabeth Snelling, and Robina Middleton,  will talk about their work and answer questions. Poetry reading to follow by Maureen Scanlon, Danielle Notaro, Cleveland Wall, Peggy Campbell, and Beth Seetch. The Gallery at St. John's, 330 Ferry St. www.stjohnseaston.org/ministries/gallery/

Superbowl Party Potluck: Starts 5 p.m. Bring a dish to share, come watch the game with us! La Pazza Bar, 13th and Ferry streets. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Open Mic and Karaoke: 7 to 11 p.m. Hosted by Party Animal and DJ Gary. Guitar, comedy, sing, and play. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Industry Night: 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

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

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

Updated at 1:42 p.m.

Charity Walk Teams Awarded 'Golden' Honors

Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton
that participated in the Highmark Walk were honored with a
"Golden Soul"award from ProJeCt of Easton
as the faith group to raise the most money for the agency
in the walk.
Contributed photos

 Two Easton area teams that walked in last year's Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community were honored with "Golden Sole" awards this week by ProJeCt of Easton for raising the most funds on behalf of the city service agency.

Members of the Palmer Kiwanis Highmark Walk team,
Ken Marino, Santa Wright, Debra Ashton-Chase and
Mike Hahn, earned the Golden Sole Award from ProJeCt
of Easton as the agency’s top fundraising business team in the walk.

The "Golden Soul" award went to First Presbyterian Church of Easton, as the faith group that raised the most funds, and Palmer Kiwanis were given the "Golden Sole" award as the top business fundraising group.

The two honored teams were some of the more than 70 walkers who earned more than $9,000 for ProJeCt of Easton during the charity walk last June. Participants registered for teams supporting ProJeCt, vying for top awards in fundraising dollars earned.

"Congratulations to our winners, and thanks to all who participated and supported ProJeCt’s efforts," said ProJeCt of Easton Executive Director Janice Komisor in an announcement of the awards. "We are very close to our goals of 100 walkers and $10,000 raised, and we would love to have a youth group participate next year to help us meet those objectives."

The 2014 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is set to take place on Saturday, May 31 at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem, with registration opening Monday, February 3.  Participants may register online and select the non-profit they wish to support. To register or learn more about the event, visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org

Updates about the Bethlehem walk are also available on the group's Facebook page.