We love New York and staying at the Hotel Chelsea.Here's the Hotel Chelsea website.
Here's our favorite suite to hang out in at the Chelsea Hotel (so far), 1024.
edited by: Lisa Mossie,
Pennsylvania Editor
We love New York and staying at the Hotel Chelsea.
Oh, isn't this just adorable: a teddy bear that encourages children to pray for our President. To die. Right-Wing Christian Conservatives are urging people to "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8" with bumper stickers, t-shirts, mugs, and even teddy bears. Such amazing grace Christian sentiment, and' [...] 
Those of you who follow this blog are probably aware of how steamed I am about NCLB (The Federal No Child Left Behind Act) mainly because it mandates how/what a teacher must teach, and has resulted in a stale "teaching to the test" curriculum in [...] 
Readers (don't miss this) ... in today's Morning Call "newspaper," "columnist" Paul Carpenter who we emailed a link to our Most Recent Post on DA Jim Martin on Monday morning does a just Masterful Misdirection job on it, spending nearly his entire article musing about Japanese [...] 
In vein-throbbing defiance of the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg and the Pennsylvania State Police, Lehigh County District Attorney (for now) Jim Martin is maintaining his hard-line stance that it's appropriate to pay citizen informants to have sex at massage spas as many' [...] 
In a delicious display of poetic irony, Teabaggers rallying against "government takeover of healthcare" (wink wink) in Washington this week were saved by government healthcare workers. Yep. One protester suffered a heart attack, and four other elderly protesters needed emergency treatment. Luckily, medical professionals from [...] 
Once popular Lehigh County Executive Don Cunning-Ham (D) limped, staggered, and crawled his way to an empty and shallow “victory” on Tuesday night, narrowly “beating” previously unknown and positively unqualified Republican/Evangelical challenger Scott Ott by a razor thin margin of 800 votes out of more than [...]
UpDate: Mayor Pawlowski cruised to reelection w/ a whopping 74% popular vote mandate. Congrats, Mr. Mayor! 
UpDate: Frankenfield fell out of office, garnering only 160 votes. We wonder if one (or several) of Tim's votes were from Wind Gap District "Judge" Adrianne L. Masut (?) 
Last night, Major League Baseball's best team, the New York Yankees (103-59) beat baseball's 2nd best team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (97-65) to capture their 40th American League pennant.
Representative Alan Grayson (D-Fla) has become the new star of the Democratic Party because he has the courage to speak out loudly for the people. During a speech on the House floor, he said that the GOP's alternative healthcare plan is simple, "Don't Get" [...] 
It's a rare occasion when our local "news media" reports anything positive about teachers, schools, or education in general. In fact, right now, teacher bashing is in vogue due to recent reaction to the Saucon Valley teachers strike. And when it comes to education issues,' [...] 
Here's an idea worth supporting: The Freedom Journalism School is a bold new program that will train 50 citizen journalists and bloggers from the South, giving them the tools and skills needed to carry out in-depth investigative journalism. As our corporate news media continues to' [...] 
After winning the Nobel Peace Prize, our President Obama has started kicking some civil rights buttocks by pledging to end the outdated policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the military, and to move forward on repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. It's way long' [...] 
I don't see how we can have real health care reform without the public option. Corporate control of our health care is resulting in people dying for the good of the insurance company. It's immoral. Corporations should not have control over our lives. A government [...] 
By: Mrs. Dottie
Readers, FYI, we're still about 2-3 weeks away from being able to follow-through fully on our pledge from a previous post to detail for you exactly how crooked and incompetent DA Jim Martin fixes DUI homicide cases for cronies and drinking buddies.
Readers, in spite of overwhelming evidence published exclusively here at LVS and emailed to every elected official in Lehigh and Northampton counties that details how hate blogger Bernie O'Hare has never been rehabilitated from the Evil Intent activity (in the conclusions of the PA Supreme Court)' [...] 
Anonymous said...
[LVS exclusive exposé on David Najarian] 
[And why do so many local politicians, and the local media, continue to affiliate w/ O'Hare?] 
"Mrs. Dottie" and I first met popular Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, Jr. (pictured) when Don and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan were in the audience for a Villas gig in October 2004 at the Illick's Mill Fall Gala in Bethlehem. We have some piks from that gig' [...] 
* Our talented, beautiful, and kind daughter Sheena was killed, suddenly and violently, by a drunk driver on her 25th birthday in March, 2006. Apparently no big deal to some, but for us this life-shattering event continues to darken our lives with an aching sadness, [...]
Many are saying that Obama's powerful speech last night was the greatest speech ever by a US President in front of a joint session of Congress, and we here at LVS agree. He kicked ass. He took CHARGE.
Update: see "Comments" section to find out which member(s) of the Allentown School District Board of Education are regularly contributing "fellow commentator members" of the rabidly racist blog, The Allentown Commentator.] 
Readers, for essential background info, please review the following two LVS exclusive blog posts, before reading this post, thanks ... 
Readers, FYI, here's an email we just sent to Lehigh County Executive, Don Cunningham (left). 
Readers, thank you, for the email we've received from you thanking us for our 3-part exposé on (left) Bernie O'Hare [see next 3 posts down]. 
[Readers, please read "Part 1" and "Part 2," below, before reading "Part 3," thanks.] 
[Readers, for maximum enjoyment, please read "Part #1," the next post down on Bernie O'Hare (left), before reading this post, thanks.]
At his popular blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings, Bernie O'Hare (left) usually makes light of his unchangeable status as a disgraced ex-lawyer who is barred from practicing law. 
Lehigh County's "Right To Know" Officer Kathleen Parrish got back to me recently on our excellent question regarding Debbie Garlicki's new job in DA Jim Martin's office. 
Mike Molovinsky is a resident of the tony Allentown PA suburb of South Whitehall Township. 
Four years ago a group of business and community leaders in Allentown formed "Education 2010!" The group hired and paid a consulting firm in Denver to prepare a local "costing out study" for the Allentown School District. The reason for the study was to ensure [...] 
[After you read this post, read the follow-up post, Kathleen Parrish Responds ]
Readers, this went out in today's mail:
July 20, 2009
To: Kathleen Parrish, “Right To Know” Officer, Lehigh County
From: Bill Villa
Ms. Parrish, recently, former longtime Morning Call newspaper "courthouse beat"' [...]
According to an article at the City of Allentown website, Allentown is one of only two communities in PA to be named a "Playful City USA Community" by KaBOOM a non-profit organization that promotes unstructured play. 
We loved the old Yankee Stadium.
Bill’s dad took him to his first game there in 1966, an Opening Day 2-1 loss to the Tigers. Bill shot 8mm home movies of Mickey Mantle Day at “The Stadium,” June 8, 1969.
The New York Yankees won 39 American [...]
Reading this unbelievable news has made me feel like I am living in America circa 1869 rather than 2009. Valley Swim Club in Philadelphia was paid $1,900.00 by Creative Steps Day Camp to use its pool, but when the creative campers arrived at the pool, [...] 
I first became aware of Al Franken as a political figure after reading his book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" Gotta love the way he puts Bill O'Lielly in his place. If Franken should' [...] 
Related Morning Call "newspaper" Story 
[...] 
Relax. Get comfortable. 
The very sad news of the death of actress Farrah Fawcett today made me think about the many Americans without health insurance who suffer and die from cancer due to not being able to afford treatment for the deadly disease. Farrah was brave for documenting [...] 
Where is the moral compass of the advertisers who are supporting Fox News and its hate speech? The unfair and unbalanced right wing media has created a dangerous climate in this country which has fueled an increase in violent racist hate crimes, hatred towards our [...] 
Related Morning Call "newspaper" story 
My family and I enjoy walking in Allentown's many beautiful parks, and we are greatly looking forward to the new and fabulous "destination playground" at Cedar Beach, and the many other improvements that are planned for our parks.
Where is this local "liberal media bias" that the minority local NeoCon lunatics (respectfully) are always kvetching about? Let's review, shall we ... 
If you submitted a "Letter to the Editor" of The Morning Call "newspaper" any time in the last 20 years and ended up just spittin' mad seeing your letter either totally ignored, or published, but anally over-edited, politically corrected, and robbed of all your intended meaning,' [...] 
Recently there was an article in "the newspaper" regarding a decision made by a BASD principal to allegedly "ban" recess from all students because "lower income" students scored low on PSSA tests. The principal required all students to stay in and read, instead of going [...] 
Here's the entire comment, in context, that Sonia Sotomayor made during a lecture at UC Berkeley that has White Male NeoCon Right Wingnuts rolling around on the floor and foaming at the mouth over:
Recently, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8's ban on same sex marriage. Some people believe that since the majority of California citizens voted for Prop 8, then that makes it right. I don't see it that way, because the constitution protects an individual's basic' [...] 
Allentown's Mayfair Festival of the Arts seemed to us to be another big success this year. We had a great time. Gianni had fun painting the huge and colorful mural created by our good friend and fellow Chen artist, Ro Geseck. And Bill and I' [...] 
Readers, on Tuesday afternoon, May 19, 2009, Wind Gap, Northampton County District Justice Adrianne L. Masut found me guilty of summary harassment and ordered me to pay one hundred dollars ($100.00). 
Recently, Allentown residents received a really cool newsletter in the mail from Mayor Pawlowski. It's called Allentown Alive: a quarterly update of what is happening in our city. At first glance, we thought it was maybe reelection campaign propaganda (not that there's anything wrong w/ [...] 
Former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, Republican Lawrence Wilkerson was on the Rachel Maddow Show Tuesday night and had some choice words of wisdom for our nation's creep of an ex-veep, Dick Cheney. 
Our founding fathers established a press system because they realized the necessity to inform all citizens. It was public policy. The news as a public good. They knew that an informed citizenry was essential to democracy.
David Souter, a left-leaning Supreme Court Justice, will be retiring, so it would make sense for Obama to appoint another liberal judge. Appointing a smart, liberal woman would make the most sense. In fact, the more liberal the better, to counter-balance Justices Thomas, Roberts, Alito, [...] 
Readers, last night, "someone" (wink wink) hacked into our blog and deleted most of the comments from our first several posts. 
We are lucky to have a wonderful park system in Allentown. Our family spends a lot of time at parks and on playgrounds. We take advantage of the Muhlenberg School playground, where our son can stay after school and play with his friends. Other than [...] 
Let's "read between the lines" of The Morning Call "newspaper" account, shall we ...
Following a nine-day trial, a Lehigh County jury needed only about an hour Friday to acquit two men of murder.
Translation: Prosecutor DA Jim Martin's office busted their butts on this [...]
I do what I can to "go green." I recycle, drive a small economy car, walk, turn off lights, try to consume less, because I believe it is the right way to live. But lately I feel like I have been bombarded with "green" products. [...] 
Federal Judge Jay Bybee, who serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, should be impeached for authoring the Bush torture memos 
April 15 Tax Day is "Tea Party" Protest Day! 
Yesterday, I took our 7 year-old son to a small playground to climb monkey bars, run around, and make movies with his cool camera that "Nee-Nee and Pappy" bought for him. When we arrived, there was not a soul around, and I was anticipating a [...] 
Related Morning Call "newspaper" Story 
I don't have a background in economics or sociology, but I know that the term social capital refers to the value of meaningful human interaction-- cooperation, understanding, building trust, bridging social gaps, easing ethnic tensions. High social capital strengthens a community. Low social capital leads' [...] 
During tough economic times, the arts can thrive. Some of our best American art was created during the Depression in the 1930's, which triggered important art movements such as Regionalism, and Social Realism. Artists such as Thomas Hart Benton painted WPA sponsored murals on public' [...] 
Yesterday, we visited Sheena's Memorial Garden at West Park in Allentown (lovingly maintained by Greg Palmer). Soon, Sheena's colorful garden will be in full bloom, like it is in the picture shown.
Readers, the gripping courtroom drama that had been scheduled for Monday, March 23rd, has been moved to mid-May, at the request of the Magistrate. 
In late 2004, The Villas auditioned 10 bass players. 
Related Morning Call Story 
Here's proof that putting our trust in the Conservative Ideology "Free Market System" can be dangerous to your (mental and physical) health. 
Related Morning Call Story #1 
I've chosen US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this time as BWOTW because she is a courageous, strong and brilliant woman. She recently underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer, and I am happy to report that she is back at her seat. It was great' [...] 
Bernie O'Hare is a disgraced ex-lawyer who is barred from practicing law because of "dishonest behavior," a fact he has admitted to at his blog-- not that he had any choice, after being outed on it.
Our mostly conservative local blah, blah, blahgosphere seems infested with negative doom and gloom and misinformation. Allentown is doomed! It's because there is no leadership! Stimulus is bad! Pay to play! Failing schools! Crime! Stores closing! And anyone with a positive outlook is labeled a' [...] 
Our seven year old son said to me the other day "I think there was life somewhere before the "Big Bang." And this led to a discussion about evolution. Wow I thought, this is great, he's really thinking about these things. Turns out he didn't" [...] 
Recently, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski graciously agreed to an interview with LVS and we asked our readers to participate by posing questions. Here are the Mayor's responses to our questions ...
Governor Rendell wants to reduce the number of school districts in PA from 500 to about 100. He says this will save the taxpayer money by eliminating some local administrative positions. There is the claim that consolidation would provide better services, especially for programs like [...] 
The economic crisis has resulted in many Americans rethinking their spending habits. More people are spending less, using debit instead of credit cards, trying to save money any way they can. My hope is that people will now start to place more importance on the [...] 
Welcome to a new feature here at LVS: The Brilliant Woman of the Week, where we celebrate outstanding women who have something important to say. With SO many brilliant women to choose from, where do I start? Well, I think I'll start here.....
At our recent post, “We Like Downtown Allentown,” an Allentown Mom comment-copied Mrs. Dottie and me on this communication she had sent to The Morning Call …
Seeing (on tv) close to two million people gathered at the mall in Washington DC was moving. It must have been really exciting to be there. What stood out to me in Obama's Inaugural Address was the message that we are all equal, and that' [...] 
Readers, our promised post on The Morning Call Forum is coming soon ... but we interrupt this program to announce that Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski (the recipient of a whopping 59% popular vote mandate in the 2005 election) has agreed to a Q&A interview with [...] 
Bill and I like to visit downtown Allentown, especially Hamilton St. and 7th St. We live in N. Allentown not too far from the downtown. Recently I spent some time at 9th and Hamilton during the Chen Arts Show at the Butz Corporate Center. It's' [...] 
Bravo to the 19th St. Theatre in Allentown for showing the movie "Milk." I have not seen it yet, but plan on seeing it as soon as we can get a babysitter! Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, who in 1977 became the first openly gay [...] 
Wow, it's been one year already since our inaugural post on January 1, 2008! Here is the picture I tried to install back then but couldn't figure out how to do it. Okay, so we're not gonna waste time with any "Best Of" or "Worst'" [...] 
Master Of Deceit & MisDirection that Bernie O'Hare is ...
This Friday afternoon I am co-chairing Craft Day at my son's school. This Friday is also the opening of the MOMENTUM Chen Arts show downtown, so I have been kinda busy. Craft Day is a fun after school event where kids get to make some winter' [...] 
Women should be aware of the "Right of Conscience Rule" that lame duck George Bush is pushing through before he flies the coop. This new rule could undermine a woman's ability to access reproductive health care. The rule says that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other' [...] 
I am proud to report (i.e., "leak") that the art work of the late and great Greg Weaver will be on display at the Allentown Chen Arts Group upcoming show, "Momentum." Greg started a hipster art scene in Allentown in the 1970's and was/is an' [...] 
Here is a list of some things I am thankful for (there are many others): 1. First and foremost, my family. 2. Friends
