At the age of 18, Madeline Rose Link has already compiled a list of accomplishments that would be the envy of someone twice her age: Honors student from elementary through high school World traveler (England, Spain, China, Africa, Canada) Professional musician Model UN participant for four years Participant in the University of Notre Dame’s Pre-College Leadership Seminar F... »
The arts have power. Films and plays can bring us to tears – whether through comedy or tragedy. Photographs and paintings can hold us transfixed by their colors, composition, even their subjects. And playwright William Congreve knew that “Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.” … a place where those who are healing find st... »
Most of us are pretty healthy. We skate through life with assorted cuts and bruises, perhaps a broken bone or a bout with the flu. I couldn’t walk more than one block without leaning against a building and trying to catch my breath. But over 122,000 people nationwide (and many in the Lehigh Valley) aren’t so lucky. Their survival depends on receiving a desperately needed o... »
Changes in modern medicine usually bring with them a sense of leaping progress, of conquering new frontiers. But an emerging trend in physician practice, called Direct Primary Care (DPC), actually strives to improve patient care by patterning itself on a business model that dates from the last century. You see, prior to the 1940s, most Americans paid their medical bills di... »
The English language is filled with apparent contradictions – phrases such as “alone in a crowd,” “jumbo shrimp,” “open secret” and (thanks to George Carlin) “military intelligence.” Until recently, I would have included “graffiti artist” on that list – until I had a chance to talk with Max Meano, who specializes in that genre. Max’s medium of expression is spray pa... »
Once upon a time, it seemed that practically every neighborhood included a corner store, a cop walking a beat… and a barbershop. Those original man-caves were easy to spot, usually sporting a rotating red-white-and-blue pole out front. Guys could get a good haircut or a hot-lather shave (followed by a splash of bay rum), talk sports, smoke a cigar with no complaints, or ha... »
Cable viewers, TV streamers and DVD watchers are faced with an annual flood of Christmas-themed movies in practically every genre – drama, spiritual, comedy, horror, animation, documentary, and musicals. Quality-wise, they range from the sublime (Alastair Sim in “Scrooge”) to the ridiculous (“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”). In other words, there’s something for everyb... »
New Year’s Eve! The occasion practically begs for silly hats, slinky dresses, champagne by the jeroboam, noisy revelry and midnight smooches. But if you want something that’s a bit different, check out the venues in our holiday round-up. Many of them include the standard party accessories, but all of them emphasize fun – a good change-of-pace from squeezing into a loud and... »
No matter which winter holidays you celebrate, exchanging gifts is part of the traditions. But if your recipient’s taste is apart from the mainstream, shopping can be tough. You’ll often find shelves loaded with mass-produced merchandise that essentially copies-and-pastes itself. There’s a better approach – the eighth annual Indiemade Craft Market (ICM) on December 5. This... »
The phrase “Pennsylvania Youth Theatre” might prompt mental images of ramshackle sets, homemade costumes, and a cast of awkward kids stumbling around on stage. But you’d be absolutely wrong on all counts. PYT is actually a regional performing-arts school. Thousands of children have studied drama, music and dance during its 30-year history and – with help from professional ... »
