Lehigh Valley InSite

Allentown Arena

As I walked down Hamilton Street the other day I couldn’t help but smile. As you approach the corner of 7th Street, one can’t help but notice the huge void where buildings once stood. Not being a huge hockey fan, I’m not as excited for Phantoms hockey as I am for what the arena represents, CHANGE. Sure I’ve heard and read the arguments against the building of the arena. People who have run businesses will be displaced, the architecture is being ruined and this is the worst part of Lehigh Valley to put a hockey arena. My answer to all the critics: In order to try and bring life back to a once vital area, you are going to have to face and deal with some adversity.

Being a Scranton native, I have seen first-hand how the now Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza has revitalized an area. From concerts, shopping, dining and yes, hockey, the arena has provided vitality to a once barren land. The city of Baltimore put its trust in sports, building Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M& T Bank Stadium, and the area is continuing to thrive some 25 years after the Orioles first took the field downtown.

Mixer

Once a year two Lehigh Valley organizations team up and hold a mixer. One has a location but is a lean non-profit…the other, no location for a party, but a workable budget. It’s a perfect marriage.

Last night, a more than expected group crowded into the beautiful Rodale Room at Allentown Symphony Hall. Also hosting was Lehigh Valley Easy Pages. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that lots of other businesses also contributed to make the evening festive by sponsoring decorations, food, beer, wine, and entertainment. What a fun night!

Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Sometimes after-hour work functions can be the death of you. After a long day at the office and not-so pleasant weather conditions, the last thing you want to do is head out for some “rubbery banquet chicken.” While the weather may have been a little less than desirable with fog that had overcome Lehigh Valley last week, I was super excited to head to a dinner function for an event that I am vice president of: SKAL of Northeast Pennsylvania.

Why was I so excited? Because the event was being hosted at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie and it is absolutely a gorgeous facility.

That's Amore

It was my first day as a brand new intern at Discover Lehigh Valley, and it was time for Marc to take me on a driving tour of the area. We started in Bethlehem, and as a newbie to all of the fun in the Valley, I was excited to visit what seemed like a million different places to eat, shop, and be entertained. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day. After my tour, we decided to do lunch at a new Italian restaurant, That’s Amore.

Pepper Steak and Onions

Several times over the past year, I have mentioned my purchase of the Dream Come True Restaurant Calendar. This calendar has provided Erin and I with a great offer at 12 of Lehigh Valley’s best restaurants. December’s featured restaurant was Asia Oriental Cuisine in Allentown.

Erin and I have been dining at Asia for the past 5 years. It quickly became our go to restaurant when we are in the mood for a Chinese meal. This was the case in December when we were deciding where to go for dinner on a rainy evening.

FoodspottingLogo

Instagram has taken off. Foursquare has taken off. And people love to eat. So why is it that more people don’t know about Foodspotting? It’s a simple concept really: (1) Go out to eat. (2) Order something tasty. (3) Take a picture of your meal. (4) Share it with the world on Foodspotting. Simple enough.

To me it sure seems a lot easier when eating out at a restaurant to take a picture of your food, than it does to spend minutes trying to figure out the calorie count. That aside, you can earn titles and badges on foodspotting, thus it is more akin to foursquare. If you eat a lot of sandwiches you can become a sandwich expert. If you eat a lot of salads, a salad expert.

Abe Lopez

This whole week has been “Restaurant Week” in Allentown with participating eateries offering 3 course lunches and dinners at a fixed price. A three course lunch may be a bit much, but I was ready to do my part to support the cause.

Yesterday’s dreary weather didn’t make me want to venture out. Luckily we have two very good options right in our building. After checking out the online menus, I decided to patronize Sangria, one of Lehigh Valley’s many great restaurants to open within the past year.

Freddy Awards

Our president, Mike, asked (actually demanded) that we watch Most Valuable Players. This documentary follows Emmaus, Freedom and Parkland High School’s theatre departments through their individual theatre performances, culminating with their night at the annual Freddy Awards.

At first when I was told I had to watch this 90 minute documentary, I was none too thrilled. I think I actually yelled some expletive. I’d like to say once again (New Found Appreciation blog) that I was thoroughly wrong and continue to be impressed with the arts in our community. I actual told Mike thanks for making me watch it. This documentary is sure to pull on your heartstrings as it shows how much time, effort and dedication goes into these productions. From the students who pour their hearts and soul into their work, to the teachers who guide their every step and the parents who offer such unconditional support, it’s a testament to the all mighty resolve of a younger generation and what encouragement can accomplish.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Yesterday, a few of us from Discover Lehigh Valley stopped by Coca-Cola Park for a preview of the progress on the brand new Red Robin Tiki Terrace and Oasis, the latest addition to the home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The new tropical-themed seating and concession area will feature 48 seats (4 rows of 12) reserved for group seating. You can view the photos below in the gallery.

The most interesting part of the new construction is that the first row of the Tiki Terrace actually hangs over the wall in left field, a feature that is uncommon in any ball park, especially in the minor leagues. The Tiki Terrace will be reserved for groups that range between 48-64 people, offering full bar service and a tropical themed menu that includes Pineapple Pork Skewers and Kahlua Chicken Skewers.

Laughing until I cry

This past Saturday was my roommates birthday, and what Valley based activity did she want to do? Go to the comedy club, so to Wise Crackers Comedy Club we went. For those of you who don’t know about Wise Crackers, it’s located in the Ramada Allentown/Whitehall. What? Where’s the Ramada? It’s behind Best Buy, on Route 145, in most cases you take the jug handle to get to it.

The MC was pretty funny, a dry humor which is right up my alley. Laurence Mullaney was one of the openers, he was pretty good, cracked a few funnies. The best was, of course, the headliner, Mike Eagan. He had me laughing so hard that I let out my hearty, loud, belly laugh several times. It’s tough to get me to laugh like that; I try to keep it for a private setting, like the comfort of my own home while watching Christmas Vacation or another funny flick.