Your source for news and information since August 1999

This edition of Lehigh Valley Black News Network is brought to you by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

I'd like to welcome the following organizations to the Network: This Is Your Life Association, Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Lehigh Valley, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Lehigh Valley Chapter.

I'd also like to welcome the return of past LV BNN Network members, Second Baptist Church, and The Greater Shiloh Church.

..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

The Lehigh Valley Black Women’s Health Initiative will hold the 5th Annual Symposium on Black Women’s Health on Friday, April 13 and Saturday April 14, 2007. The Symposium will feature a kick-off event “Put on Your Red Dress and Dancing Shoes” on Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Banana Factory, 25 W. 3rd Street, Bethlehem.

This event is sponsored by the American Heart Association —Power to End Stroke Program and will feature an evening devoted to relieving stress through dance, music, and laughter. Gloria Kincade, certified aerobic instructor and choreographer, from Soulline Productions will teach aerobic line dances to “old school” R&B. The Friday evening event is free and open to mature adults only.

On Saturday, April 14, beginning with 8:00 a.m. registration, a symposium will be held at St. Peter’s Evangelical Church, 474 Vine Street, Bethlehem. The symposium workshop topics will include: Depression, Anger Management, Stroke, Obesity, Healthy Eating and Exercise. Participants will gain valuable information about the prevention of disease related to stress/anger/obesity/unhealthy nutrition and poor physical exercise habits. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to improve their cardiovascular health and practice physical exercises that may be done anywhere. The registration fee ($20) includes a continental breakfast and lunch. There will be an opportunity to browse and visit health care vendors until the 1:30 p.m. closing reflections.
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The Symposium is coordinated by Sharon A. Brown, Office of Institutional Diversity at Moravian College and Shelba Scheffner, Eastcentral Area Health Education Center. The Symposium is open to the public. For further information or to register for the Symposium please call 610 625-7847.

Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective liberal arts college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, it is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college. Visit the Web site at www.moravian.edu.

At AFC Reverse Mortgage, assisting Pennsylvania senior homeowners with reverse mortgages is our only business. No need to leave your home. We will come to you. And our experienced staff will process your loan in our Lehigh Valley office, which means you will work with the same people from the initial meeting right through closing. At AFC you truly are a name not a number. AFC Reverse Mortgage. Local. Knowledgeable. Professional.

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Reverse Mortgages Are Our Only Business

Miller-Keystone Bloodmobile will be on site for adults who wish to donate blood and the Saint Luke’s Hospital HealthStar Van will be providing blood pressure and cholesterol checks for the adults and helping children put together their own first aid kits.

The Bethlehem Fire Department will offer

Latinos for a Healthy Community will be available with information, as will Turning Point and HighMark Blue Shield/CHIP.
Calypso students are participating in an art contest where the winner will have their art work printed on the “official” Health Fair t-shirt that will be available for purchase.

In addition, we will have many, many others who will provide wonderful demonstrations, services, and information and great giveaways for everyone in attendance!

Don’t miss this day of fun and safety for healthy kids and healthy adults!
If you have questions or care to speak with someone about this community event, please do not hesitate to contact Alyissa Ballek at balleka@cislv.org or phone 610-691-0152

I'm sure you've have had one of those days when you just wanted to see your heritage reflected in your home or office. Or perhaps you've always wanted to purchase beautiful artwork for family and friends to enrich their lives.

Whatever your reasons, you have come to the right place!!

Ethnic Expressions has something for everyone and every budget. Visit my web site and browse our on-line catalog for high quality products at a reasonable price.

FREE SHOPPING SPREE WHEN YOU HOST YOUR OWN ART SHOW!

Hosting your own theme Art Party is easy and more fun than you can imagine. What better way to receive free and discounted art?! I will partner with you to help

LET ME HELP YOU PURSUE YOUR DREAMS! Could you use an extra $300 a month? How about an extra $500 or more per month? It's possible with Ethnic Expressions Supplemental Income Program. Give yourself a pay raise, spend more time with your family, earn FREE vacations to spectacular places! Are you ready??

Care Net Pregnancy Centers of the Lehigh Valley will hold its Annual 5K Run/Walk For Life at Sand Island in Bethlehem on Saturday April 28th. Walkers and runners are needed for the approximate 2 mile walk and 3.1 mile run through Historic Downtown Bethlehem.

Event registration begins at 9am and is held rain or shine. This year’s theme is “Hope and a Future”.

This is a fundraising event for Care Net Pregnancy Centers of the Lehigh Valley.

Funds raised from this event are used to continue providing mentoring, community referral services, options information, abstinence- based school and youth group presentations, support groups, and material resources to women, men and their families throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Individuals and groups are invited to participate and /or sponsor walkers and runners. Free t-shirts will be awarded to those who donate $25.00 or more and pre-register. Prizes for top donors will also be awarded. For more information call the Care Net Allentown Office at 610-821-0943.

You are invited to a forum Introducing United Way's 2008 - 2010 investment plans.

How do I send information once I join or purchase a spot in LV BNN?

Non-Profit ad membership Policy

Submit your ad info in time for the next issue of LV BNN (4/26/07)! Ads for May, June and July should be submitted this week for best exposure!

On behalf of Touchstone Theatre and the Leadership Committee of the Lehigh Valley Black African Heritage History Project,please consider joining us at our next story-gathering session.

The Lehigh Valley Black African Heritage Project is a collaborative project of Muhlenberg College, the Lehigh County Senior Center, the Lehigh County Historical Society, Kutztown University, and Touchstone Theatre.

Help us continue Phase III of the project as we collect material for a play to be produced by Touchstone Theatre of South Bethlehem.
Come to a gathering to swap stories, memories, and pictures or just to satisfy your curiosity!

SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE STORY-GATHERING SESSIONS:
Saturday, April 28, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced
Saturday, June 23, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced
Saturday, June 30, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced

Come see for yourself what ALL the HYPE is about regarding The "Chocolate Hedo GetAway" @ Hedo II in Negril, Jamaica from Wednesday June 20th - Sunday June 24th. You can take advantage of both sides of this 4 Star Complex @ Hedonism II, which also includes "Free Your Mind" (Au Naturel) Resort for those who CHOOSE to Free the Mind and let your Body follow!

Hedonism II: Sooner or later, it's gonna happen. The primal urge to just, let ALL go & Unwind! You're not alone. Hedonism II, on world famous Negril Beach, is a PLAYGROUND for your inner SPIRIT, nourishment for the Mind, Body and Soul. Pleasure comes in many forms. Choose one, Or two, Or more. With absolutely everything included in ONE upfront price you never have to think about money. Not even tips. Just what to do next and how!

Chocolate Hedonism GetAway has been adopted by singles and couples to replace The Cancun Jazz Festival as the "Baby Boomers" PLYAGROUND GetAway. If you are 32 to 55 years old, then you probably hung out at the Cancun Jazz Festival in Cancun , Mexico between 1992 -1999 before the younger people took over. You now have the perfect "GetAway" for a Valentines Gift, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, or Anniversary present for your Spouse, Friend or treat yourself. So, come and "Experience HEAVEN On Earth" !

This Super Inclusive Chocolate GetAway includes Unlimited Drinks, ALL Meals & Entertainment for no EXTRA cost!

The Punany Poets & The Head Doctor June 20th - 24th, 2007 Chocolate Hedo GetAway www.ChocolateHedonismGetAway.com Book today @ 800-339-0218

Ch�shingura (Tale of the Loyal Retainers), the epic story of forty-seven masterless samurai (r�nin), is rooted in history and known by virtually every Japanese. In 1701, a young daimyo (feudal lord) was tricked into drawing his sword in the presence of the Shogun, an act punishable by death. After his ritual suicide, forty-seven of his attendants secretly swore to avenge their master’s death. After nearly two years of covert planning, they invaded the enemy’s estate and killed him. Offering his head at their master’s grave, they then surrendered to the authorities, who, in recognition of this act of loyalty and sacrifice in accordance with a medieval code of chivalry, allowed them to commit ritual suicide, an honorable death. They were buried with their master at Sengakuji temple in Tokyo, where their graves are still visited today.

The Ch�shingura sums up all that the Japanese people love in a good story: loyalty, revenge, action, and a triumphant but sad ending. It has been memorialized in Japanese theatre in kabuki and bunraku plays, in literature, and in fine art. This exhibition presents a selection of Ch�shingura prints from the Museum’s collection. Many of these rare and dramatic prints have never before been displayed in our galleries.

Moravian College will hold “An Evening with Baseball Hall-of-Famer & Former Negro League Star Monte Irvin” on Thursday, April 12th at 7 p.m. in Prosser Auditorium. Irvin will be joined by Dr. Lawrence D. Hogan, author of Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues & the Story of African-American Baseball.

Like many great black athletes of his time, Monte Irvin played out most of his Hall of Fame career in the Negro Leagues. After the integration of baseball, he played an instrumental role during his eight seasons with the New York Giants helping them win two pennants. Irvin started his professional baseball career in the Negro Leagues at the early age of 17. He quickly developed into a power-hitting, smooth fielding, base stealing triple threat. Irvin is remember by baseball fans for leading the league in RBI during 1951 and completing the rare feat of stealing home in the World Series.

During his career in the Negro League, he was a five- time selection to the All-Star Team. Irvin's induction into the Hall of Fame came in 1973 when he was chosen by the Special Committee on Negro Leagues who had previously selected only three legendary players: Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Buck Leonard.

For more information, contact Joel Nathan Rosen at jrosen@moravian.edu or call 610 625-7814.
This event is sponsored by the following Moravian College departments and organizations: Arts and Lectures, Athletic Department, The LVAIC Africana Studies Consortium, USG, Phi Alpha Theta, The Law Club, Office of Institutional Diversity, IMPACT, The Sociology Club, Department of History, and Amnesty International.

Become a Project Blueprint volunteer! Join with others to share your experiences and concerns to make positive change in your community. Project Blueprint is a minority volunteer development program coordinated by the Volunteer Center and supported by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

It is designed to help nonprofit organizations in the Lehigh Valley become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of the culturally diverse communities that they serve.

The goal of the Project Blueprint Program is to accelerate involvement of African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American volunteers to become policy makers on agency boards and committees.

The upcoming spring training is scheduled for six Thursday evenings starting April 12 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the American Red Cross Building. It covers topics which relate to board membership and leadership skills including: the roles and responsibilities of a board member, understanding nonprofit finances and legal issues, analyzing communication styles, and how to choose the right board. Representatives of Lehigh Valley nonprofit agencies will familiarize participants with what is going on in the nonprofit sector in the Valley today and will offer their insights into why they want diversity on their boards.

There is no fee for this program but registration is required. The deadline for registration is April 9, 2007. For more information or to register, contact the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley at 610-807- 0336 or vc@volunteerlv.org. Registration available online at www.volunteerlv.org (quick links boxes).

Employment
Lehigh Valley Employment

Business

Access to Financial Capital Among U.S. Businesses: The Case of African-American Firms.

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley VITA Tax Program.

A Warm Spirit Special Offer from Raquel Phelps, Self-Care Certified Independent Consultant

Politics

Please Join The David Jones Campaign Kick Off for Allentown City Council 4/12/07 Tonight 6:00pm-9:00pm!

Vote Kevin Easterling for Lehigh County Commissioner. Join his email list here.

Different News,Views, Blog's and Editorials

LA Cronica, the Informative Voice of the Hispanic Community

Arts & Culture and History

Each year, ArtsQuest is proud to present more than 300 musical performers from across the entire world. Current announcements for Musikfest 2007!

PA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 30TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CONFERENCE

Faith- based Community

The Greater Shiloh Church Women of Excellence Conference presents The Masquerade The Great Cover-Up April 20~21, 2007

2006-2007 Organization Members
The Crayola FACTORY
Lafayette College Office of Intercultural Development
St Paul Community Service Center
Allentown Art Museum
Virginia E Holland #86
Moravian College Music Department
Union Baptist Church Allentown PA.
Living Stone Fellowship Church
Private Industry Council of Lehigh Valley, Inc.
SouthSide Film Institute
Allentown School district
YWCA of Bethlehem
Art Quest
Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley
Community Action Development Corporation Allentown
Greater Shiloh Church
God will Change Your Life Recovery Ministries
Lehigh County Senior Center
Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority
NAACP Allentown Chapter
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center
Rejoice Foster Care and Adoption Agency
Second Baptist Church of Bethlehem PA
State Theatre Center of the Arts
Teen Summit Program
Theatre Outlet
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
Williams Center for the Arts Lafayette College
Ways to Work Family Loan Program
Northampton Community College
Lehigh University Human Resource Department
Northampton Community College
Touchstone Theatre
Women Unlimited Inc.

Mayor Ed Pawlowski cordially invites you to a reception with State Representative Dwight Evans Tuesday, April 17th from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Lehigh Country Club 2319 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA
Please R.S.V.P. by April 13th Call Heather Dorn: 610-9674444

$200 – Supporter $300 – Patron $500 – Host $1000 – Evening Sponsor

At Lehigh Valley International Airport, projects likely to receive federal grant funding in 2007 from the Federal Aviation Administration include, but are not limited to, land acquisition, air carrier aircraft parking apron reconstruction, acquisition of interactive airport certification training system, acquisition of continuous friction measurement equipment, installation of approach lighting system as well as residential and public building sound insulation.

At Queen City Airport, projects likely to receive federal grant funding in 2007 from the Federal Aviation Administration include, but are not limited to, engineering services for rehabilitation of airfield pavements, construction of a taxiway extension and installation of a weather observation system."

Lehigh Valley Black News Network 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 3000 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 � 2007 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