Allentown Reborn, Bullsh*t On Steroids

I'm seeing the New York Times story on Allentown's rebirth shared on Facebook by all the local cheerleaders. Although the article mentions a tax-incentive, who could comprehend that all the new construction is being financed by diverted state taxes, and that it is owned by one man? Who could conceive that the new buildings are publicly paid for, but privately owned? They do mention the man as the main developer, but don't elaborate on his windfall. In fairness to the reporter, even most locals don't understand the realities of the NIZ. 

Of course if some NYC couple decides to relocate to the reborn Allentown, they will be in for quite a surprise come dinner time. They will find that the restaurants are only open for a few nights a week. They will find that the coffee shops close at 6:00PM. They will find that the stores mentioned are the only stores there are. They will find that they have moved to a Potemkin Village.

The cheerleaders I referred to in the first paragraph all have some things in common. Either they have a business, or they're a newcomer with no frame of reference, or both. Some others are former Allentonians, also in the dark about the realities. Although this blog is in its eighteenth year, I have only resorted to off color language in this last week. Like Popeye, I could only take so much for so long.

The Mighty Atom

Years ago at the Allentown Fair, as one would push through a sea of carney delusion, tucked back by the 4H animals was an island of reality. There, in an old battered truck, an ancient Jewish strongman performed incredible feats of strength, to sell only homemade kosher soap. Standing on a platform on the rear of his truck, flanked by photographs from his performing youth, he would bent horse shoes and bite through nails. Many years earlier, my mother as a little girl in Bethlehem, saw him pull a truck uphill with his hair. Even as an old man, like a reincarnation of Samson, his grey hair was still long.
In the summers of 1964 and 1965, myself and a friend,(Fred Schoenk, retired Allentown art teacher) made and sold printed tee-shirts at the fair. We had the honor to know Joseph Greenstein(The Mighty Atom) and his wife. For those interested, there are various articles on the Mighty Atom and even at least one book. Enjoy the fair!

reprinted annually since 2007

The Great Allentown Fair

The Morning Call website is hosting an archive of Fair Pictures from over the years. Being a fan both of fair pictures and black and white photography, looking at the 111 photos presented was a treat.

The photo shown above, which I will get back to, reminded me of one of my unique fair experiences. In previous posts, I have discussed that both my father and myself had stands at the fair. While my father learned that you couldn't sell hotdogs near Yocco's, I learned that drunks leaving the beer garden loved to buy printed T-shirts.

But today's post has to with George Kistler, long time City Clerk during the 1950's and 60's. George loved the fair, and loved sharing his fascination with a large group of people. I was fortunate enough to be invited several times. The routine was always the same; Dinner at a local stand on the eastern side of the fairgrounds, followed by the wrestling show. I remember photographing Andre The Giant.

The Morning Call fair picture above is none other than Jim "Super Fly" Snuka, who was recently back in Allentown, for a most regrettable reason.

reprinted from September of 2016

Beating The Crap Out Of Cedar Beach Park

As if there isn't enough events at Cedar Beach Park, the Park Department is now renting the park out to private promoters for even more events. On Saturday evening the park was mobbed for the Water Lantern Festival, operated by a private promoter. 

According to their website, tickets for the event cost $35. I don't know what kind of gate security they  had, or how many people actually paid the full freight, or what the city's take was. but I do know that the park is terribly overused and abused.

A Tuerk sycophant asked me what I thought of the city's public meetings to formulate ideas for a new park masterplan. I told him they were nonsense, and that the parks weren't meant to be a venue for every popular fad. They also were not intended to be pimped out to promotion companies.

please excuse my frank language in this post

Coffee With Emma and Ce-Ce

This blog did not take any overt positions on the recent primary election. Instead of profiling any candidate, I reprinted my piece on Emma Tropiano, 

The People's Candidate. I believe that Emma has a kindred spirit in Ce-Ce Gerlach. Now, I understand that a lot of people will take exception to my comparison, maybe even Ce-Ce herself.

Because of inaccurate media reports, Emma was falsely portrayed as bigoted. Her memory now unjustly bears that misconception. Most people today who repeat that slander never knew her. Emma was immensely popular, and easily won reelection to city council, election after election. Ce-Ce Gerlach was the top vote getter this primary, receiving almost double the votes of her fellow candidates.

As someone who knew both women, there are many similarities... Both being extremely accessible, down to earth, and making people comfortable.

Emma was energized to work hard for Allentown, as is Ce-Ce. Emma was passionate about the issues she championed, so is Ce-Ce.

I sat in diners having coffee with both of them, many years apart. I think that they would have understood and liked each other.

reprinted from 2019 with new photo

ADDENDUM AUGUST 26, 2025:I've known Ce-Ce a long time, my first post about her was in 2013. What is behind today's reprint is that Ce-Ce has announced that she will run for State Representative. She is running for the 22nd district, currently occupied by Josh Siegel, who is running for County Executive. If you check my archives, I have about a dozen different posts about Ce-Ce. I chose this one because Emma also ran for State Representative, losing to then newcomer Jennifer Mann. While Mann retired from the state house years ago, and Mike Schlossberg inherited the seat, she remains the quiet kingmaker in Allentown.

Weaponizing The White House

Over the years John Bolton has been called many things, mostly a hawk, but never disloyal to the country. He did however write and say that Trump was incredibly uninformed and unqualified as President. No good deed goes unpunished, and the FBI gave him a good housecleaning on Friday. Trump's response to news of the search... “He’s not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy and we’re going to find out".

I don't expect anybody in the cabinet to speak out, they're sycophants who are there for their loyalty, not their expertise or integrity. But I must wonder about the long term workers and agents assigned with such distasteful tasks. They know that they're harassing or firing or penalizing people who deserve better.

As I have written before, I think that Republicans are going to have a hard sell come mid-terms. I don't think that they need to worry about Trump promoting a primary challenger, but rather being ousted in the general for their compliance to him.  J.D. Vance apparently thinks that he is the heir apparent of the newly gilded Oval Office, parroting Trump's Blame Biden Blatter. After the Democrats retake the White House in 28, Vance can always write another book. For the former MAGA non-readers, he can record some podcasts.