Mom...can I get a tattoo?

OK...it didn't really go like that but Matthew Tuerk of Allentown Economic Development Corp fame pointed out one of downtown's newest and in this one man's opinion hippest new spots - Art N Soul Studios, 516 W. Hamilton St (610-433-4850) http://www.art-n-soulstudios.com/. Yes Virginia Hamilton Street does have a Gallery space! Couple that with a tattoo studio and we're really not in Kansas anymore.

Art N Soul Studios just recently had it's soft opening on Jan 21st and is currently holding "Punk's Dead" by J. Smith - an exhibit displaying the late legends of Punk Rock including Sid Vicious, Joey Ramone, Wendy O Williams, and many others.

Stop in and check out the gallery- they are open Monday-Saturdays and Sundays by appointment - I've included some pics below:

City announces restaurant promotion

The city has announced a worthwhile downtown restaurant promotion, "Dinner at 8." The deal is that you can get 20 percent off at two dinner entrees at any of eight different local restaurants:

Bay Leaf

GEO Spirits and Cuisine at the Crowne Plaza

Johnny Mañana’s

the Allentown Brew Works

the Federal GrillLoBaido’s

Bellissimo Ristorante

ACI Halal and Turkish Restaurant

You can find the location and some links to these restaurants at the growing wiki-based Google map that Matt Tuerk of AEDC has set up.

Quality of life contacts on 7th Street site

We've added a few different ways to keep the most useful city phone numbers with you when you're out and about--to report graffiti or litter or those mysterious swinging sneakers that hang from the occasional power line. The new quality of life page includes:

a simple list

a bundle of vCards to download for your phone

an iPhone-optimized webpage

and printable wallet cards

Follow the link....

UPDATE: Bernie O'Hare, the Valley's best blogger, reminds me that I should disclose that my wife is director of Allentown's Redevelopment Authority. Thanks Bernie.