Your source for news and information since August 1999

This weeks issue is brought to you in part by: Zulu Athletics, Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley and Steve's Carpet Cleaning Services. I’d also like to welcome the Afro American Community Project as our newest member to the Network! You can read about each of these organizations and their services below.

It’s hard to believe that LV BNN is now entering its 7th year as an electronic newsletter! As a major player in the Lehigh Valleys Internet community, our primary goal of ‘informing you about events and information related to the connection and inclusion of Black / African American communities throughout the Lehigh Valley’ has become a reality!

I'd like to thank our 2005 Network members (see our listing below) and readers for helping to support this publication. I wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year!

Remember, tell a neighbor, tell a friend and be sure to let them know, you saw it in LV BNN!!

Support the organizations and businesses that support LV BNN. Enjoy this Edition.

Kevin Easterling

Founder & Publisher Lehigh Valley Black News Network

Keynote Speaker: Pastor David Jones, Life Church.

• Special Recognition:

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Allentown Youth Branch NAACP Announces:
MLK LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP Saturday, January 14, 2006 9:30am to 3:00pm

Location:The Caring Place 931 Hamilton Street, Allentown
****Workshops Open to All Ages 8 to 18****
Workshop Topics: Personal Safety Awareness, Anti-Gang Education, Teen Relationships & Activities for Ages 5 to 7. Please Support Our Youth In This Effort For Questions Call 610-797-1107.
A Light Lunch Will Be Provided.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast Observance.
Please join us for guided, small group discussions on “Race Matters”. Tickets are $6 each. For tickets please call YWCA of Bethlehem Flordelisa Perez, Esther Lee, Bethlehem-NAACP, 610-867-4669 or Vivian Butts, Bethlehem-NAACP, 610-867-6945 .

Sponsored by Moravian Theological Seminary, NAACP-Bethlehem Branch and YWCA of Bethlehem

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) has established an overall DBE goal of 4.97 % for DOT assisted FY 2006 projects at Queen City Airport, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The proposed goal and rationale are available for inspection during normal business hours until 4:30 p.m., January 31, 2006 at the Airport Administrative Office, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, 3311 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109. Written comments on the goals will be accepted at the following addresses until the close of business on February 15, 2006.

Mr. Lawrence Krauter Deputy Executive Director Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority 3311 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109
Mr. Murray Gottlieb Federal Aviation Administration/DOT Eastern Region, Office of Civil Rights, AEA-9 1 Aviation Plaza Jamaica, NY 11430

Mentors are needed for male teens, ages 15-18 to assist with school assignments, help students recognize their talents and encourage self awareness. Partners In Progress will be held 2 hours each week at Dieruff and Allen High Schools in Allentown through a grant awarded to the Allentown School District.

Communities In Schools is dedicated to finding volunteers who will offer help to 9th grade African- American and Latino male students in Allentown who are at risk of not completing high school. Volunteers will help students with English and basic math, including Algebra I.

For more information about the Partners In Partners program, contact Shalynda Morton @ 610-402-6601 email:mortons@cislv.org
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A STUDENT’S LIFE!

“God does not ask about our ability, but our availability.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Shampoo, Deodorize, Stain Guard, Spot Removal

Wedding Receptions, Office Parties, Holiday Parties, Corporate Functions, Picnics, Showers & Birthday Parties, Breakfast / Luncheon’s, Backyard Parties, Church Events, Anniversaries

The Mosaic Singers come to the State Theatre on February 25th at 8 PM with a program that features high energy Gospel, Broadway, Jazz and more. The critically acclaimed Mosaic Singers have performed in London, Copenhagen, and Senegal, as well as at The Kennedy Center and the White House. In 2003, they were invited to perform with the African Roots Choir. They have also had the honor of opening for Al Green, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Aretha Franklin.

Tickets for the Mosaic Singers are $15 and $10 (with a student ID) and can be obtained by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or the 24-Hour Credit Card Hotline at (610)991- STATE (7828), or via the Internet at www.statetheatre.org.

Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Mosaic Singers masterfully combine the vocal talents of young people from the metropolitan Detroit area. Featured on the Today Show, NPR’s All Things Considered, and in the Wall Street Journal, the Mosaic Singers are part of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, an internationally acclaimed, professional performing arts training program for youth. The Youth Theatre recently developed the new musical, Now That I can Dance, which follows the dramatic real-life story of five teenagers who would go on to perform Motown’s first #1 hit.

The Afro American Community Project will host Black history events Feb. 4-25 from 2-4pm at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Center.

• Feb. 4th - Fashion Show
• Feb. 11th- Reenactment of the life of Dr. King
• Feb. 18th - Community Awards Celebration
• Feb. 25th - A Play, "From Shame to Freedom" and dinner

Cost is $8 for non members $6 for members (adult) $5 non members and $3 for members package (all 4 days) non members $24 members $18 (adults) non members $15 members $9 (child) For tickets call 610-967-5679

As a leading authority on African American Art, Driskell’s work—paintings, prints, and collages will be exhibited—often reflects his complex experiences dealing with race in this country. He is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Art at University of Maryland, College Park, and has maintained an active career as a practicing artist, art historian, curator and collector. Exhibition curator is Scott Habes, director of The Art Gallery and associate director of the David C. Driskell Center, both at the University of Maryland, College Park. Joint exhibition with David A. Portlock Black Cultural Center Gallery.

New Works on Paper, 2005 was organized by Williams Center gallery. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday; 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, as well as noon-5 p.m. the first Sunday of each month for First Sunday Easton; 7:30-9:30 p.m. on the evenings of Williams Center performances; and by appointment.

For more information, call the gallery at (610) 330- 5361 or email artgallery@lafayette.edu. Additional information about the Williams Center gallery program can be found by visiting www.lafayette.edu/williamsgallery.

The State Theatre announces one more show to the 2006 Season - blues legend Bo Diddley, February 3rd. Tickets will go on sale to State Theatre Members December 1st and to the public December 8th along with 6 other shows that were announced in an earlier release: Raymond the Amish Comic (Jan 27), Mosaic Singers of Detroit (Feb 25), Emmylou Harris (Mar 8), Ron White (April 28), Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (Sept 14) and MENOPAUSE the Musical (Sept 27 - Oct 1).

In February 2006, when blues legend Bo Diddley takes the State Theatre stage for the first time, he will be marking his 51st Anniversary in music. His crucial role in the birth of Rock-n-Roll and his impact on the direction of popular music has earned him the title of “The Originator.” His revolutionary sound known as that “Bo Diddley Beat” can be heard on rhythmic masterpieces like “Diddley Daddy,” “Who Do You Love,” “Hey! Bo Diddley” and more. Lehigh Valley blues favorite, Steve Brosky will open the show. $36.50/$31.50

State Theatre Memberships can be purchased at any time and begin at $75 for one year. As a non-profit organization, State Theatre membership contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Tickets and Memberships can be obtained by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999- STATE, 610-252-3132 or the 24-Hour Credit Card Hotline at 610 991-STATE (7828), or via the Internet at www. statetheatre.org.

G.W.C.Y.L. is a Christian support group for recovering alcoholics and addicts. We share our experience, strength and hope with one another to help solve our common problem and to enhance our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We use God's Word and the Twelve Steps of Recovery, believing that Scripture and the Twelve Steps are important healing tools. If we regularly apply these tools to our lives, we open ourselves to God's healing love and grace.

Monday Nights 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Greater Shiloh Church Shiloh Enrichment Center 548 Canal Street Easton, PA

Thursday Nights 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. St. Paul's Lutheran Church 8th & Walnut Streets Allentown, PA

For more information, call (610) 252-5640 or (610) 653-9494.

The Reverend Al Sharpton is coming to the Valley: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 7:30 PM Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Lehigh University at ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER - Baker Hall Bethlehem Free and open to the public

Business

Different News,Views, Blog’s and Editorials
E- Comments broaden Call's public opinion forum
Allentown City Councilman readies for history
Phillips reflects on role models, race and Allentown
Read Mcall.com Comments on this article here

Community Services
Community Action Financial Services Free tax preparation
Teen Summit Program
Grants and Funding Opportunities

	Join the LV BNN Email List

Thanks to our 2005 Network members and advertisers. Happy New Year!
Allentown Art Museum
Allentown School district
Alliance for Building Communities
Allentown Liberty Bell Rotary
Antares Productions
Art Quest
Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley
Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley
Citizens for Pat Browne
Community Action Development Corporation Allentown
DeSales University
Friends of Ed Pawlowski
Greater Shiloh Church
God will Change Your Life Recovery Ministries
I.O.B.P.O Elks of the World Inc
Lehigh County Senior Center
Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority
Lehigh Valley Sickle Cell Support Group Inc
Living Stone Fellowship Church
LJ Gift Company
Moravian College Music Department
Moravian Collage Sharon Brown
NAACP Allentown Chapter
NAACP Easton Chapter
Nationwide Advertising Services
One World Theatre
PAMBDC-Lehigh Valley Region
Rejoice Foster Care and Adoption agency
Second Baptist Church of Bethlehem PA
St. James A.M.E. Zion Church
State Theatre Center of the Arts
Sweet Sisters Catering
Team PA CareerLink of the Lehigh Valley
Teen Summit Program
Theatre Outlet
Tri-City African American Chamber of Commerce
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Virginia E Holland #86
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
Warm Spirits (Raquel Phelps)
Williams Center for the Arts Lafayette College
Woman of Excellence
Woman Unlimited
YWCA of Bethlehem
Zoelner Arts Center

General Colin L. Powell (Ret.), USA will be the featured speaker for the 17th Annual Kutztown University Decision Makers Forum on March 30, 2006. Gen. Powell previously spoke to the Decision Makers Forum in 1996.

Before becoming Secretary of State in 2001, General Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four- Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 – 1993).

General Powell was the founding Chairman of America’s Promise-The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of our nation’s youth. General Powell recently joined the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to work with young executives on leadership and expand global business growth.

The Kutztown University Decision Makers Forum offers an opportunity to the regional business community to hear a presentation from exceptional leaders of achievement. Past speakers include George H. W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Rudy Giuliani, Madeleine Albright, Tim Russert and George Tenet. Each corporate sponsor enjoys major networking opportunities while participating in the Sponsors’ Buffet. Sponsorship includes preferred parking, the buffet and reserved seating for the address. Individual tickets to Gen. Powell’s address can also be purchased. For additional information, contact Ronald Lewis, Kutztown University Development Director, at 610-683-1394,

Well, it’s Tax time and MNET of PA needs to file its Taxes! For those Non-profit organizations that have not submitted their Pennsylvania Tax Exemption certificate (see example below) please fax or email your form to your LV BNN account representative by January 31st 2006. Those non- profit organizations that are not able to produce a PA Exemption Certificate will be billed for the Pennsylvania Tax. Please call Kevin Easterling at 610- 799-125 for questions
PA Exemption Certificate example here:

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Did your LV BNN non-profit ad membership expire? You can re-new today and save on the 2006 membership fee increase!

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Submit your ad info in time for the next issue (1/26/06) of LV BNN! Ads for February, March and April should be submitted this week for best exposure!

To inquire about advertisement and corporate sponsorship programs, please call (610) 799-1250 or send an email to kevineasterling@lvbnn.com

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The 2006 Lehigh Valley Minority Business & Organization Directory, Coming Soon! For more information call 610-799-1250.

First payment of $300 due by March 15th 2006 Second & Final Payment of $150 due by May 26th 2006.
NO REFUNDS UNLESS GROUP TRIP IS CANCELLED
Price includes Hotel Stay @ Tropicana Hotel Casino Round trip Bus pick up at Wal-Mart McArthur Rd. to Philadelphia Airport. Roundtrip Flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. Transfers to and from the Hotel included!

Lehigh Valley Black News Network www.lvbnn.com is an informative eNewsletter designed to inform you about events and information related to the connection and inclusion of Black / African American communities throughout the Lehigh Valley and the State of Pennsylvania.

LV BNN is distributed twice a month to over 2500 responsive email readers from the Lehigh Valley Region, parts of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Reading Pennsylvania. For Sponsorship and advertising rates please call (610) 799-1250 or email kevineasterling@lvbnn.com

Copyright � 2005 Mnet of PA. All rights reserved. You may reproduce information from this e-letter by including LV BNN as its source and, if you are reproducing electronically, please include a li_k to www.lvbnn.com in your e-letter or on your web site. An MNET of PA Production