The Gentle Giant

For a few years Abe Simon was the biggest man in the ring. Because of his size and the family's need for income in the 1930's, Abe got into the ring, and fought the best of them. He was a gentle man and didn't have the usual boxer's temperament. He had a winning record, including knocking out Jersey Joe Walcott. He endured 13 rounds of punishment in his first title fight with Joe Louis, earning him another chance, and another beating by Louis. Those interested in the Louis era can click on December of 2012 in the archive section, on the right sidebar of this blog.

Allentown, All Future No Present

Except for the 800 block of Hamilton Street, the merchants of center city are on their own about snow and litter. After the snow finally melted, the parking spaces and sidewalks were back to the accumulated litter and left over leafs from the fall. Although disruption of service can be expected with so much construction, what we're seeing is total disregard for the existing, taxpaying businesses of downtown. Although their state taxes are being funneled to the beneficiaries of the NIZ, they are not receiving even basic service. Although Pawlowski and Company may think that they can deter service until the arena project is complete, do a cleanup, and people will come, the locals don't roll that way. Perceptions and patterns are made over time, and a few new shiny buildings won't change that.

Allentown Bureaucrats Living The Dream

The Morning Call and assorted Allentown bureaucrats treated each other very well this weekend. One article lauded how the new office space in the NIZ only has upsides, with none of the anticipated losses to existing commercial landlords. They overlooked a few harsh realities previously reported here at molovinsky. The Masonic Temple is losing it's large and substantial tenant, Buckno Lisicky Accounting. Lehigh Valley Health Network will add insult to injury by steering it's patients to the inconvenience of appointments at 7th and Hamilton. Another article in The Morning Cheerleader referred the the business incubation programs by Allentown Economic Development Corporation. They incubated a go-cart track in the former Mack Factory and shared office space in Fountain Park. They're currently working with some marketing teenagers, which have received their 37th option extension on the Neuweiler site.

A Jewish Christmas Card

Most Jews experience some conflict during the Christmas Season. This is essentially a Christian nation, and to totally ignore that reality could be perceived as rude. Although Abe Simon proudly wore the Star of David on his boxing trunks in NYC, he also sent out Christmas cards to his non-Jewish associates. Simon, in 1942, was the last Jew to fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

reprinted annually

The Diminishing Tracks of Allentown

I have been intrigued with the trolley freight, although I have no personal memory of the service. This photo from March of 1952 shows the end of that era, with a freight trolley being loaded on a flatbed rail car, for a short run to Bethlehem Steel to be scrapped. Within a year there would be no more trolley service of any kind in Allentown. Within two decades many of the businesses serviced by the trolley freight would be gone. In another decade most of the railroad tracks would also have vanished.

The Allentown Arena and Crime

The recent spate of violence in Allentown begs the question, how will crime effect the success of the Arena project? The damaging factor is the perception of crime, which has it's own lingering consequences. The hockey games will succeed, but the spinoff business will never materialize. The fans will scurry back to their inconvenient parking places, and clog N. 8th street as they flee the city for the safety of Catasauqua. Although the BrewPub may pick up a few customers, Sangria and other high end places will wither. Anybody foolish enough to open an upscale shop will be hard pressed to honor their lease.  Although this post is meant as an opportunity for readers to address the crime question, I will host no comments on any specific crime. They are tragedies, which leave grieving families.

UPDATE: This post is revised from December 2011. Although Sangria has come and gone,  all the new office workers will have a very positive effect on the daytime Hamilton Street  lunch business.

Capernaum By The Sea

Matthew 4:13: And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum,...

Capernaum, the city of Jesus, is on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The foundation of the Synagogue of Jesus, is beneath the ornate 4th century synagogue, partially restored by the Franciscans in the early 1900's.

Mark 1:21: he entered into the synagogue and taught

Nearby, the modern Church of St. Peter's House was built by the Franciscans in 1990. It's glass floor reveals the lower walls of the 5th century octagon church, which was built around the walls of St. Peter's House. Also there, shown in the photograph, is the Greek Orthodox Church of the Twelve Apostles. It was built in 1931, during the British Mandate period (1917-1948).

reprinted from May 2013