The Cosmic Punch

In California these days, everybody walks around with a yoga mat strapped to their back. That certainly wasn't the case in the 1930's, when heavyweight contender Lou Nova studied with the infamous self proclaimed mystic, Dr. Bernard. Nova was the World Amateur Heavyweight Champion and a proponent of clean living. He won his first twenty two fights as a professional. His promoters said he perfected the Cosmic Punch. He handed Abe Simon his first defeat after thirteen victories. He knocked out Max Baer twice. 

Clean living didn't serve him so well with the notorious dirty fighter Two Ton Tony Galento. Galento almost gouged his eye out, putting Nova in the hospital for weeks. Nova got his shot with Louis on September 29, 1941, but fell in six. Nova would go on to act in movies and even was a write-in candidate for President of the United States. He dropped out of the campaign because his mother was afraid he would catch a cold wearing a bullet proof vest, and shaking so many hands. She wasn't afraid of him being in the ring with some of the toughest men in the world.

shown above 1939 Lou Nova vs. Max Baer (on right), Nova won in the 11th

This post is reproduced from September of 2011. I refer those interested in Joe Louis era boxing to my posts of December 2012. The sidebar of this blog's webversion has both archives and a search engine.

Daily News Wednesday July 29

UNITED STATES

          Very likely the Iranian missile attack on the US base in Jordan yesterday was meant as a wedge between Netanyahu and Trump. At any rate, it indicates that Iran has not been tamed, as Bibi and Donald both face voter feedback in the coming months. For Israel, the lost of American public opinion has been a real wound.

PENNSYLVANIA

            The Mackenzie/Brooks race will be another bonanza for the union printers. As a registered independent I get less cards than party members receive, but still more than I care to read. 

LEHIGH COUNTY

             I was pleasantly surprised by the number and qualifications of the applicants for the open seat on the commissioner bench. 

ALLENTOWN

              Hopefully the joint traffic enforcement was the beginning of a crackdown, and not a single event. 

Your Paying For Allentown's NIZ

The Allentown NIZ* was created about 15 years ago to supposedly revitalize Allentown. It was designed by former state senator Pat Browne and is in two sections. The larger section runs from 5th to 10th, Linden to Walnut. The smaller section is along the Lehigh River, essentially between the Hamilton and Tilghman Street Bridges. 

While the NIZ is privately owned buildings, they are financed with diverted state taxes. Allentown is the only zone in Pennsylvania. As unusual as this legal magic act is, scrutiny and criticism is almost exclusively been limited to this blog.  J.B. Reilly owns almost all the land in the Hamilton Street portion???Mark Jaindl owns almost all the land in the Lehigh River portion???

What the two zones have in common is that they are adjoined by poor litter filled loud neighborhoods. While Reilly and Jaindl have profited enormously from the NIZ, what benefit  John Q Citizen has derived is questionable. John Q has had to make up for those diverted taxes, with no benefit for him.

shown above Jaindl's future portfolio along with river

*Neighborhood Improvement Zone

Allentown Backwards With Mayor Tuerk

Victor Martinez has a Spanish radio station, that's his business model. Matt Tuerk has bi-lingual city reports, that's his business model. However, as the mayor it isn't really a courtesy, it's more of a real world disservice. Those who cannot understand English don't have much chance of a good future in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Besides for announcing where to take English as a second language class, there is no productive reason for his bi-lingual posts. If Matt could only speak Spanish he wouldn't be mayor.

But worse than the language babel, is the traffic babel. I cannot shake the feeling that the lax enforcement of traffic laws is another cultural accommodation. We certainly know that there is no enforcement of noise and litter ordinances.

Unfortunately for everyone living in the city, the slippery slope of lax enforcement is coming home to roost. Apparently, Tuerk hasn't really learned much on all his out of town and out of country conferences. Maybe if one of those guns being pointed more and more at people was pointed at him, he would realize that either he must untie police chief Roca's hands, and/or replace him.

Circling The Wagons About Trump

A CNN poll has Trump rating highest within party of any modern president. Considering that it's a CNN poll, nobody can accuse it of bias toward Trump. Forgive me, but I have an explanation.

I watched Trump give a speech at some rally in Georgia the other night. It occurred to me that only low information people and diehard partisans could appreciate his 6th grade banter. My explanation is that he's so lost on every topic, that diehards just must make believe that all is well.

Let's move ahead to the midterms and project the results. Dyed-in-the-wool sycophants will lose, unless they're in a very red district. The Democrats will score unusually high with the independents, whose numbers keep increasing.

A Challenge To Netanyahu

There is political buzz in Israel about Gadi Eisenkot, a former general and chief of military staff. Although Eisenkot favors a two state solution, he would retain established settlements in the West Bank. He also favors less dependence on United States.

His parents were immigrants from Morocco, so he has a foothold with the Sephardic block. In 2025 he formed the new Yashar Party, however in Israel parties are numerous.

While currently polling one point ahead, that may not be enough against such a political survivor as Netanyahu. A developing issue is that he would likely need the support of an Israeli Arab party, alienating other segments of the Israeli public. Israel has coalition governments, much more complicated than our two flavor system.

The General's Wallet

This year the Trexler Trust is dispensing over $6mil to an assortment of the usual institutions and organizations. Every year I study the list, and it is truly uninspired. Each year the same trustees enable the same engines of the status quo which have made Allentown less livable every year.

With one exception, I won't list either the givers or the takers, but believe me that there are no surprises. The Trust is backing the Art Museum move with $250K a year for five years. As I written before, the move will boost Reilly's 10th St. holdings at the expense of the 5th Street art district.

As specified by Trexler's will, one third of the yearly payout goes to the Allentown Park Department. Seasoned readers of this blog know that I have issues with the park's priorities... But, however misspent the money is by the park department, it is value compared to the other $4mil.

As I have chosen not to name the grantors and the grantees, comments will be likewise monitored.

Did I Save Marco Rubio?

By chance, no bravery involved, I may have saved a couple of kids from drowning when I was growing up. One kid fell through an ice covered, water filled foundation when I was about nine. I held onto his arm until my cousin ran home to get her father to pull him up. Years later in the mid 1960's, I carried a young Cuban boy from the water off South Beach.

At that time that portion of Miami Beach was not the destination it is now. In the mid 1960's, the old hotels weren't fashionable, they were just old. Pensioned retirees rented the rooms by the month. The Cubans were just starting to flee Castro's takeover of that country. I knew of no such things back then, I was just visiting with a family friend who lived in a modern high-rise facing the bay.

Somehow, later that year, I received a letter from the boy's older sister thanking me for saving her brother. Years ago on this blog, I told the story of finding a diary in an old chest in Virginia. Years later, that blog post found its way to someone who recognized who I was writing about. I know that it wasn't Marco Rubio I pulled from the ocean. The boy now would be about 70 years old.

Left Speechless By Trump's Speech

Trump's speech on July 16th was classic, even for him. In 28 minutes or so, he undid whatever rapport we have with China, denigrated the American free press, and that was his more presidential mutterings.. 

Although he knows that chances of passage for his voter ID bill are slim, his intent was to excuse the pending midterm losses, and the subsequent reflection on his administration. His "never better" economy soliloquy, or as I call it nutter butter, only lasts until the next visit to the gas pump.

It truly was a speech to a shrinking choir. Locally, the incumbent Republican congressman was given a gift via an unqualified opponent, but who apparently is ahead anyway in the polls. While Trump's coattails were strong in 2024, its stitching has become quickly frayed as he brays on about voter fraud in 2020. Those incumbents who were holding on to those tails will find themselves torn loose.

Molovinsky On Istanbul

Since I revealed yesterday in a comment that I studied in Jerusalem, I will fess up to recently taking a self refresher on archaeology in Istanbul. If you have an interest in the post biblical era, Türkiye is about as close as you might want to be now, but even there Trump switched planes to fly out of that country.

Erdogan and Türkiye continue to profit from being the safest place near the Middle East. Even though he occasionally rattles the saber against Israel, Trump hinted about selling him F-35's. Erdogan takes defense seriously, he even gave the NATO delegates Turkish made revolvers as departing gifts.

Trump seems to be still searching for an exit strategy from Iran. He doesn't seem to have any working knowledge of diplomacy, nor are any of his sycophants so equipped. MAGA is still defending him, but they're leaving the red hats at home.

Independents For Israel

Recently, I have been researching the two major American Jewish lobbies for Israel,  AIPAC and J Street. I hold with the belief that the partition of the British Mandate into two states in 1947/48 was just. Up to several years ago, the Arab/Palestinian faction was the main obstacle to a 2 STATE solution/peace. Since October 7th, 2023, Israelis have for the most part lost heart with peace efforts. That portion that remains Peace Now is about 23%.

AIPAC is the older, more established of the two American groups. However, with Israel's hard right response in both Gaza and the West Bank, its reputation with the American public might become a political liability for Congress. I personally find J-Street's positions much more aligned with my current feelings about Israel.*

I'm penning this post because of an observation about J-Street. While AIPAC is now aligned with the Republicans and Democrats who staunchly support the current Israeli government, J-Street targets those  considerably more to the left. I believe that they would benefit from a bigger tent. IMO, they need to understand that there are independents, and even Republicans, who still see 2 STATES as the only long term solution. While we support a very strong Israeli defense, we would like to see the offense governed by being the proverbial light  As an independent, I'm more than a group of one, and hope that  J Street becomes more inclusive.

the above misleading graphic was on Facebook. J Street does not want America to end support for Israel.   

*Those interested in knowing about these groups should explore their respective websites

A Molovinsky Memoir

I put yesterday's post about Harry Molovinsky on the Allentown Chronicles Facebook page. A woman whose father also worked for the park department commented that Harry took some harassment being the only Jew working for the park department in the 1940's.

Jews attending William Allen twenty years later were still frequently reminded that they were Jewish. Although I grew up spending time with my father's siblings and their children, I knew virtually nothing of my father's cousins. 

It is my understanding that my grandfather Aaron came to Allentown first in 1891, and when he had earned enough, sent for his parents and siblings from Lithuania. A butcher like my grandfather, his brother Jacob opened a meat market on 2nd Street. Harry also was a meat cutter before getting a job cutting grass with the parks. Sisters included Florence, Bessie and Annie. The entire family, including my great grandparents, lived on 2nd Street.

shown above are my father's cousins, sons of Jacob, who all served (WW2) at the same time

City Of Allentown Hires Molovinsky

No, rest assured that they didn't hire me. On the contrary, because of this blog, they would like to drag me in front of an eager district magistrate, and throw the book at me. 

However, they did hire my father's Uncle Harry in about 1935.  At that time, same time that they were building the magnificent WPA structures which the city is now allowing to go to seed, Earl Price was the City Forester, and in charge of maintaining the parks. 

By 1900,  my great grandparents and all their offspring were living in the Ward.  I'm now the last Molovinsky left in Allentown, so this blog cannot embarrass any family members.  It can, however, if I do my job correctly, cause some distress among those who are failing to properly honor the city's history.

Harry Molovinsky is in the back row, fifth from the right, in the light colored jacket.

use of photo courtesy of the Price family

reprinted from September of 2022

Allentown, A Forgiving City

On Friday night Ed Pawlowski put up on Facebook that he's back in town, and by Saturday morning he had over 700 likes and 250 positive comments. Someone recently said that if he could run again, he would win. Never mind that he was convicted for pay to play, and every contract was awarded on contributions to his political ambitions, not value to the city.

I have no issue with his return, he has served his time. He remains so popular because he empowered a lot of people with appointments to committees and authorities. Those appointments weren't based on merit, but to put together a coalition to get re-elected. I assume many of the congratulatory comments are from renters as opposed to homeowners, who are less impacted by real estate taxes.

I know someone who keeps complaining that we have become a one party town, and suffer from the consequences of that reality...There is nothing about this post that will make him doubt that conclusion.

ADDENDUM JULY13, 2026:As of Monday morning, Pawlowski's post has 1.3K likes and 413 positive comments.

Mackenzie Truth Bending

Ryan Mackenzie was photo-opting in Bethlehem about affordable housing. He is confident that the bill will pass, but omitted details that his Commander and Boss was holding it hostage trying to pass a Voter ID law before the midterms.

Meanwhile in Turkey, the boss was double talking that he was flying out on the old Air Force One so that the troops in Europe could get a peek at his new toy. He wants the new toy in the foyer of his library in Miami, and Ryan wants a second term.

Mackenzie may well not get my vote. For my vote he will have to elaborate on how Trump has refused to sign it, and has held it hostage. Mackenzie can't have it both ways, wanting credit for affordable housing, but not reprimanding Trump for his interference. Mackenzie refers to working with both sides of the aisle, but my concern is about talking out of both sides of one's mouth.

The Franklin Park Windfall

Allentown (Partnership) is receiving $4mil from the Bezos Foundation, and will pony up another $mil toward making over Franklin Park. Everyone is happy about it, except this blogger. My issue is the imbalance between the excesses and the neglect. 

Neglect is city wide, from the crumbling steps in Lehigh Parkway to the meager pool schedules. Excesses are city wide, from the Destination Playground to the new dual skateboard bowls. Politics, political correctness and delusion are not in short supply. Less than a decade ago, contractual corruption resulted in a short shelf life for some projects. The current crumbling Rose Garden Ponds were in better shape before they were rebuilt than now, only a decade later.

Perhaps the Bezos Foundation will allow the Park Department to keep some funds in escrow for future maintenance of whatever is built. At any rate, the city should not be dependent on grants for maintaining existing facilities, as was the case with Bogert's Bridge. The Park Department should concentrate on maintenance rather than always looking to build another shiny object.

The Roasting Of Harry Trexler

In a recent discussion of the weed wall in Cedar Park, someone commented that Harry Trexler must be turning over in his grave. In reality, poor Harry has been on a rotisserie for decades, which ironically he pays for.

In 1985, when the Trexler Trust allowed Allentown to demolish Mary Trexler's cherished greenhouse, he turned over in the grave. When sitting members of the Trust were in Ed Pawlowski's kitchen cabinet, they started discarding traditional guidelines for the parks. Creek decisions were outsourced to the Wildlands Conservancy.

The original creek banks sheltered by willows are a thing of the past. Hundreds of trees have been closely planted together, even farther out from the banks, making the former traditional grass cutting impossible. The city/park department has even started a Forestry Master Plan. The Trexler Trust and its new Parknership are on board with these plantings, recently funding more trees. For the most part, the Parknership has been involved with recreation....Perhaps it should have been called the Playship.

West Park Storm Report

The West Park Civic Association's Facebook page, showing the storm damage to the park, was widely shared. Having lived by the park for many years, and being opinionated about the park department, I decided to survey the park myself.

I'm glad to report that damage was mostly limited to one quadrant, and the park/arboretum was mostly spared. The city was there with both ample equipment and manpower cleaning up.

While the park is a gem, the civic organization is one of the saving graces in Allentown. I'm sure the same can be said for other groups in Allentown, but I'm more familiar with the West Park group.

shown above 1950 era post card

Allentown Department Of Neglect

The above wall separates the parking lot from the path at the Park Department office. The wall was built as part of the barn yard in the early 1900's. The trolley to Dorney Park ran in front of it. About six years ago, when the crack was about one half inch wide, I suggested that a dap of cement was in order. 

The Park Department seems to prefer to let things go, until which time they need to be replaced, rather than repaired. However,  if the project is for recreation, it's another story. Last summer the skate bowl at Jordan Park was doubled in size. This past spring, hundreds of trees were added out from the creek weed walls.

Talking of trees, West Park took a particularly hard beating Saturday night from the storm. The Department is going to have its hands full this week cleaning up from both the July 4th festivities, and the storm.

Dour, Misguided Molovinsky & NIZ

For this post I tried to locate a photo of Seymour Traub lecturing me at a city council meeting. Our faces aren't visible, but you see a very tall man lecturing a short man. Reilly, Traub and the NIZ were lucky, because for years the only vocal objector was this blogger. After I represented the opposition at a Iannelli Business Matters show, Bill White wrote that I was dour and misguided.

While I was a minor annoyance to the powers that be, Jarrett Coleman would emerge to beat NIZ architect of record Pat Browne in the state senate primary. Coleman has been actively trying to inject some accountability into the NIZ for the sake of the taxpayers.

Sy Traub was forced this week to postpone a meeting to sit new members to the NIZ board, because they were not reviewed by Harrisburg. While the occurrence was reported by the Morning Call, the reporter doesn't understand, or at least report, Traub's consigliere role in the NIZ.

shown above Business Matters. left to Right, Tony Iannelli, Steve Thode, Sy Traub, Michael Molovinsky, Mike Fleck