Bethlehem Press

The Historical and Architectural Review Board issued a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of a replacement roof and two new low profile skylights for 238 E. Wall St. Homeowners Patrick and Hanna Conroy were represented at the Nov. 1 meeting by contractor Bill Adams from Mark J. Fisher Roofing.

YWCA Bethlehem’s Great Decisions Foreign Policy Lecture series featured a preview event with “Consequence: A Conversation About Interrogation and the Iraq War” at Kirkland Village Oct. 11. Bethlehem-based author and army veteran Eric Fair was interviewed about his experiences as a contract interrogator by Brian Mello, associate professor of political science at Muhlenberg College.

“Eric’s experiences are his and not mine. But the war in Eric’s memoirs is ours,” said Mello as he introduced Eric Fair, author of “Consequence: A Memoir” published in 2016.

Twenty-five rarely seen works were guest-curated by New Jersey collector Gary T. Erbe for “John R. Grabach and Henry M. Gasser: New Jersey Masters,” an exhibition in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries at the Baum School of Art, Allentown.

Grabach, born in 1880, taught at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. Gasser, one of his top students, was born in 1909. The talented New Jersey-based artists became colleagues when Gasser was hired as the Newark school’s director.

Progress in medical care innovation was celebrated by a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) at One City Center for the new Air Products Center for Connected Care and Innovation.

Air Products Chairman, President and CEO Seifi Ghasemi was thanked by LVHN President and CEO Dr. Brian A. Nester for the company’s donation of $5 million through the Air Products Foundation.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force focused on how Bethlehem is dealing with the arrival of Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria at their meeting Oct. 31.

“We are definitely seeing an increase in the usage our daily services,” said New Bethany Ministries’ Kate Cohen, who added, “We have seen a lot of families coming up from Puerto Rico using the pantry and the hospitality center.” Cohen announced New Bethany is holding a 20th anniversary Luminaria Night Celebration fundraiser at the Luckenbach Mill Dec. 8.

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council made “ArtsCount with $39,711 in Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) grants awarded to 26 area artists, musicians and arts nonprofits.

ArtsCOUNT 2017, run by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, was held at the National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem.

Healing Hands, represented by business owner Jennifer Burns and Brian Podenbach of Valley Wide Signs & Graphics, was quickly approved by the Historical and Architectural Review Board for installation of a bracket sign on the front of Tiger Hall at the October 4 meeting. Burns, also owns the venerable building at 518 Main St. The certificate of appropriateness was granted with the stipulation that a serif font be used for wording above and below the logo on the oval-shaped sign for the massage therapy center.

After an August recess, the Mayor’s South Side Task Force met Sept. 26. Chairman Roger Hudak announced that the “Fall Southside Cleanup!” was scheduled for that Saturday morning. The event is sponsored by the South Side Task Force, Lehigh University Community Affairs, CADCB, among others.

After an August recess, the Mayor’s South Side Task Force met Sept. 26. Chairman Roger Hudak announced that the “Fall Southside Cleanup!” was scheduled for that Saturday morning. The event is sponsored by the South Side Task Force, Lehigh University Community Affairs, CADCB, among others.

Marcie Lightwood, from the Institute for Jewish - Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College, led a workshop on developing good listening skills at the South Side branch of the Bethlehem Public Library recently. Janine Santoro, from branch adult services, said she felt there was a need in the community to address the current polarized political climate. “No one is listening to anybody,” she lamented.