By Cathy Kiley Pearly Baker’s Ale House has been around for what seems like forever and is considered by most to be a cornerstone of Easton’s impressive restaurant community. Built in 1863, this historic Centre Square structure originally housed the YMCA; and later in 1935, became home to Easton’s Manhattan Club that occupied the location for over 50 years. Now, it is a fa... »
By Maureen Sangiorgio How today’s “green” vehicles are helping to clean up the environment. When I was growing up in the 70s, I was deeply moved by the TV commercial featuring the American Indian Iron Eyes Cody shedding a tear over pollution. The voiceover proclaimed, “People start pollution; people can stop it.” I have been an amateur tree-hugging enviro... »
By Nancy Moffett Did you know the air inside the average American home can be two to five times more polluted than outside air? That only 30 percent of the 17,000 petrochemicals available for home use have been tested for environmental and human safety? And, according to the EPA, the antibacterial soaps and cleaners so popular today may contain 275 active ingredients that ... »
By Susan Weaver There’s no better place to welcome spring than the seat of a bicycle. If you agree and you’re keen for new places to pedal, this roundup of Valley bike trails is for you. To add to my personal favorites, I talked with folks at area bike stores–Bikeline in Allentown and the new Cycle Fitters in Forks Township. So here’s a range of trails where you can ... »
By Mary Beth Schwartz Today’s kitchen gardens combine food preparation areas with the elements of structured design Having been through the snowstorms of 2010, our minds turn to thoughts of spring. Nothing says spring more than gardening. This year, more and more Lehigh Valley gardeners will decide to plant their own kitchen gardens—to save money, eat healthier vegetables,... »
By Melanie Gold When I was a girl growing up in Northampton County, farms were all around me. Some of my fondest memories are of pulling back husks on the season’s first sweet corn, tagging along with my grandfather to the dairy to buy raw milk in glass bottles, and my brother and I riding our bikes to the local butcher. He sold local meats, knew us by name, and gave us a ... »
By Kathryn Finegan Clark When Joanne Kostecky made her first dry flower picture years ago she had no idea she was planting the seeds for a booming, blooming company. But there it is, Joanne Kostecky’s Garden Design on Allentown’s Hamilton Boulevard at Brookside Road. Its design studio and showroom is housed in the old Wescosville General Store, which was built as a hotel j... »
By Faith Brenneisen As inches-upon-inches of snow have piled-up on us this winter, it’s exciting to begin planning for warm spring days and outdoor activities. With nearly 40 parks covering more than 1,600 acres. 34 ball fields, over 50 game courts; five outdoor pools, and two spray parks, Allentown is known as the City in a Park, and is the place to be in the upcoming mon... »
By Sara Vigneri Teaching ‘green living’ in schools involves more than plopping a few recycling bins in classrooms. Global climate change, industrial agriculture, depletion of the earth’s natural resources—today’s schoolchildren will end up bearing the brunt of our current lifestyle in the U.S. Teaching children about sustainable living is vital for their future, and school... »
Here are some interesting ways that we’re helping to make the world a better place or at least our little world here in the Lehigh Valley. If you have additional ideas or suggestions, send them to christine@ecbiz213.inmotionhosting.com and we’ll consider posting the most innovative ideas we receive. “We do the majority of our shopping at farmers’ markets and roadside stand... »
