Sparkle Sparkle Everywhere

that's right folks...for year three we ushered in the cold weather in strict 7th Street style...with hot cocoa and cider, good cheer and holiday lights along the corridor. Approximately 50 volunteers made it to our Make 7th Street Sparkle event...this year with a competition for best holiday displays - residential and storefront.

our tree - newly planted and sustainable...it will grow as 7th Street continues it's growth!

not just the decorations were sparkling...check out everyone's smiles...thanks guys

(Sarah Fulton, Duane Yodi Vaden, Miriam and Mike enjoying themselves)

more revelers

Organization Committee's Kathleen Kapila making sure everyone knows we are set to sparkle...Thanks Kathleen, Becky and the rest for making this event a great success!Pastor Lamb and friend from St Luke's Lutheran Church...thanks to Leslie Talago - newly appointed 7th Street Board member and great all around community advocate for all your help in pulling this off!

HOLIDAY DECORATION CONTEST

Make 7^th Street Sparkle. Be the first to win the Seventh Street Development Committee's Shining Star Award. Decorate your home or storefront for the holidays and win a prize!

The winners will be announced at the St. Luke's Church Tree Lighting Celebration on Tuesday, 12/15/09 6:00 PM, 417 N. 7th Street, Allentown, Pa.

Storefront Prizes include:

Free website development package

Free advertising in the SSDC newsletter

Residential Prizes include:

Dinner for Two on 7th Street

Surprise package of Gift Certificates

For more information or to register for the contest call Kathleen Kapila

at the SSDC, (610)433-5703

USA Today Covers Allentown Housing ...

... and our own Pete Lewnes is quoted in the story. The piece notes that home sales and prices are up in Allentown, and singles out NOTI (north of Tilghman Street, roughly between Jordan and 8th) as a "hot" neighborhood:

Many neighborhoods still have a combination of Victorian and Federal row homes. Buyers looking for an up-and-coming neighborhood are starting to focus on an area known as NOTI (north of Tilghman Street and close to downtown Allentown). It has old industrial buildings that artists are starting to repurpose for studios, galleries and apartments. It also has many brick row homes.

The story closes with Lewnes:

"First-time home buyers can get a great bang for their buck," says Peter Lewnes, program director for the 7th Street Development Committee. "For less than $100,000, they can get in on the ground floor and fix it up the way they want it."

Praise for Taqueria Los Amigos

Lehigh Valley Lexicon had a "heavenly experience" at Taqueria Los Amigos, the bright-walled Mexican place on Seventh near Liberty Street. The clincher? $1 tacos. "Everything we tasted was delicious and authentic." Adds Lexicon: Seventh Street is "probably the liveliest street in all of Allentown."

New Restaurant on Seventh!

Rincon Liniero (548 N. 7th Street) has just opened in the old Century Cafe space at Seventh and Allen. For the moment, all signage for the new Dominican eatery states, in a Seinfeld vein, "Restaurant." (The new restauranteurs have simply rubbed off their predecessor's name.) I haven't had a chance to sample the cuisine, but will upload a scanned menu soon. Rincon Liniero (610-433-9450) is open daily 7:30am to 9pm. Restaurants within one block in either direction: Winston's, Sweet Italian Pizza, Casa Latina, Happy Garden, and Taqueria Los Amigos.

Paradise Floral Design Gets Window Makeover

Siding Removal on 7th Street

Some of the city's most hideous siding met its maker today. 521 N. 7th Street is now back to its original, brick-facade glory. Here's an in-process shot from earlier today: