Politics, parties, paranoia, and peace.... Four things I have seen in A-town this past week.
Politics: Alfonso Todd attended the City Council forum last week at Symphony Hall in downtown A-town. It was sponsored by The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce who had planned to charge $30.00 at the door. (I understand the need to recoup costs but making people choose between groceries and candidacy views is not cool.) Either way, they changed their minds at the last minute and the cost was dropped. Jen Boulanger, of Allentown's Women's Center was in attendance (see this month's 5 Minutes of Flavor www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com), as was other local past and present City Council members. According to Fonzo, the panel was lively and it was obvious who was "on point" and who was hopelessly "out-gunned and out of their league." This should be an interesting election, to say the least, and many people are not agreeing on the quality of the candidates. (It has been noted on a popular local blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings, www.lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com that "Allentown is doomed".) I say let's get out and vote tomorrow, May 19th, and attempt to elect people who truly can make a difference in this great City...
Parties: I went to a birthday event on Saturday night at a local spot that, in the past was always fun, had a good vibe, and a packed dance floor. It had its' issues, some weekends, with some customers who became a little "too tipsy and boisterous" and had to be taken out by security, but that's the nature of the beast. Well, once Coca-Cola Park was built, the whole scene was changed from the inside and out. Big screen TV's were brought in, food was served, and like magic, it was transformed into a sports bar! I abruptly stopped going. Well, on Saturday, I attempted to go against my intuition and attend this function for a friend. Even though every fiber in my being said this would not be a good thing for me to experience, I went anyway. I must say, it was "worse" than I could have ever imagined. There was no vibe, the DJ had no flow, and the dance floor stayed empty. (and I am a dancer and will dance to anything!) Back in the day, the DJ used to truly mix the songs and "feel" the patrons and their musical needs so people would sway and move, but this DJ put on TOP 40 music and hoped for the best. I believe the owners did this, on purpose, to change the clientele and get rid of some of us "club riff-raff." I mean if we want to truly "jam", there is a spot called Horizons five minutes away on Airport Road. Anyway, I was saddened by the dramatic change in this place (I arrived at 10:30pm and there were actually less people in the establishment when I left at 12:30am.) The night was summed up as I was approached by a semi-intoxicated male who saw me sulking at a table in a corner and stated, "This is a White man's bar now, man." Indeed.
Paranoia: The job fair at Coca-Cola Park only confirmed what people already know, that decent paying jobs in the Lehigh Valley are in short supply; unemployment benefits are about to run out for many; the swine flu is officially in the area; alot of car dealerships are going out of business; and people are, literally, thinking the SANDS Casino will save us all...Go figure.
Peace: The International Peace Parade held yesterday was awesome! It was a beautiful sight to see all of the different flags, nationalities, and cultures come together and march from downtown Allentown to Bucky Boyle Park! This was needed and appreciated! I have to give a "shout out" to the Arts Illuminarium, Pana Columbus, the artist, Yodi, and every group, volunteer and spectator that came out to make this event happen! Who said that only the West Side can have decent events? The colors, the excitement, the cultural exchange and conversations, and the neighborhoods that normally get nothing but police activity and negative publicity are finally starting to obtain what they have needed all along to improve themselves: utilization, inclusion, and respect.
People are making it happen and it's a great thing to behold !
Peace and 1,
- J. BLACK
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The Peace Parade was great. I really enjoyed seeing so many different groups come together to share their ethnic pride and heritage with the public and each other. I think the folks on Gordon Street loved it too. They don't get parades through their neighborhood all that often. It was a wonderful day.
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