New initiative/organization - Beer Run

Some of my fellow transplants complain that they haven't found their "people" or an organization similar to one they enjoyed where they used to live.

I've got to hand it to Cara Crumbliss - inspired by a club she participated in elsewhere, she took the bull by the horns and created a running club for people who like to drink socially.

She even created a mission statement!

BEER RUN CLUB GOALS
To welcome and encourage all fitness levels
To incorporate the art of beer drinking into your fitness goals
To explore the Lehigh Valley's running paths and watering holes
To promote the responsible consumption of beer
To create a fun and safe community of fellow beer & running lovers

The group has met twice already. The next BEERRUN is this Wednesday, September 29, at 7:30 pm. To join the group, meet in the hall outside Aardvark Sports Shop at the Main Street Commons, at Main and Broad Streets in Bethlehem. The group will run approximately 3.5 miles through Bethlehem, then enjoy post run libations at Bethlehem Brew Works... $2 Wits and Trivia!

Re-post - new dates for "The Office" tour

The NBC's hit show The Office is "set" in Scranton, PA, a mere 1-hour drive north of the Lehigh Valley (though it's filmed in California, the characters make a lot of local references and the opening credits feature shots of the real Scranton). Out-of-towners can take The Office Fan Tour, a guide to the famous and not-so-famous spots from the Emmy-winning show, including sitting down for a pint at Poor Richards. (Of course, Scrantonians would never be caught dead on a tour like this! Most think it's ridiculous and cannot figure out what the hype is all about.)

Tickets: Over 21 years (a bottle of exotic Yuengling Lager included in ticket price): $45, Under 21 years: $35

When: 12-4 p.m.
Saturday, 10/16/2010
Saturday, 11/13/2010
Saturday, 12/11/2010

The tour kicks off at The Vintage Theater - 119 Penn Ave (across from The Mall at Steamtown) in Downtown Scranton. Tickets include transportation around Scranton, lively tour guides, history of the city, stories from cast appearances, food and drinks at Coopers, drinks at Poor Richard's Pub, and even a gift bag featuring a few Dunder Mifflin items from the NBC store.

Meet new Farmhouse chef Javan Small

The Farmhouse (1449 Chestnut Street, Emmaus) has been serving up seasonal, local, organic, sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine for over 20 years. They're hosting a vernissage, and unveiling their fall menu on Monday, September 20, 6-9 p.m.

While you're noshing on yummy Farmhouse eats, meet local painter Lesta Bertoia and the restaurant's new chef, Javan Small (since Michael Adams and the Farmhouse parted ways earlier this year). Sample wines from Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery, in Breinigsville and taste beers from Southampton Publick House, Lancaster Brewing Company & Riverhorse Brewing Company.

Born in Misawa, Japan, Javan’s love of food began at an early age when he started his restaurant career in the 10th grade. Javan has trained under world-renowned chefs in both the United States and in Europe. Javan has degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Entrepreneurship from Johnson & Wales University, and worked under Chef Lea Linster at her Michelin-rated restaurant in Luxembourg. Chef Javan Small has perfected his craft over the years, favoring European styles and techniques, and embracing the farm to table movement. He has relocated to the Lehigh Valley from the Boston area. I'm looking forward to trying out his stuff!

How Do I Find Out What's Happening?

Greer asked me a GREAT question this week: "There were a ton of emails in Providence, RI, that told people about upcoming events. Does the Lehigh Valley have any?" The answer is: Yes! I subscribe to a few goodies, and I'll provide links here to sign up for them. If you have any other suggestions, please make a comment below.

• What's Going on in Bethlehem - An e-newsletter published by the City of Bethlehem. It provides a comprehensive list of events happening this weekend and in the near future.


• Lehigh Valley Progressive Events - Monthly email with a link to the blog. Everything from lectures to public meetings to special events.


• Lehigh Valley Style Insider - Find out where and when the next happy hour will be. Jana also blogs about upcoming events on the magazine's site.


• Laini's Little Guide - You'll have to go online or follow @LainiAbraham on Twitter to get this one. She's a must-read in my RSS feed.


• Valley Social Mag - Sign up on the web site for updates about chic, upscale events in the Lehigh Valley.


• I think Kelly Huth does a great job for the Express-Times and Exposed. Read everything she's writing for them, and you'll get a well-rounded look at what's happening.


• The Mix also provides some good local content on the Morning Call web site (at least, entertaining photos taken of drunk people in bars), but the paper version is mostly ads and national entertainment info. Kelly Federico's Side Dish is a good place to find out what's happening with restaurants. The Best Bets feature is pretty good. Retail Watch is ok.

There's a ton of blog content out there filled with up-to-the-minute information about local events. I link to a lot of them on this page. Enjoy!

New Year's Resolutions

While researching a piece on New Year's resolutions, I came across a list of the most popular resolutions in the US:

• Drink Less Alcohol/Quit Drinking
• Get a Better Education/Learn Something New
• Get a Better Job
• Get Fit/Lose Weight
• Get Organized
• Manage Debt/Save Money
• Quit Smoking
• Reduce Stress
• Spend More Time with Family & Friends
• Take a Trip
• Volunteer to Help Others

I think I can make this into a helpful weekly blog series starting October 18. I'd like to share resources and start a dialogue about how the Lehigh Valley has everything you need to accomplish these goals. I'd like to start in October, so that all of you who are resolving to get organized can plan ahead.

Suggestions are welcome! Let me know what you've done to achieve any of these resolutions in your own life.

Gallery opening tonight at Ambre Studio

Readers of Lehigh Valley Transplant are invited by Evelyn Beckman, designer and gallery owner, to the art opening at Ambre Studio (310 West Broad Street, Bethlehem), tonight, Sept 9th, from 6-9 p.m. Meet the artist, Laura Borneman, network with other art lovers, and enjoy some free food and beverages. Plenty of metered street parking is available.

An artist speaking event on Saturday, Sept 11, 4 p.m., will chronicle a professional artist’s journey and the progression of a body of work.

The paintings and drawings of the award-winning California resident artist will be on display at Ambre' Studio through November 12.

Sophistikate

Sophistikate (574 Main Street Bethlehem - the corner of Broad & Main Streets) is opening this weekend, adding a new dimension to shopping on Main Street in Bethlehem.

I visited with Kate Falasca last week and got a sneak preview of her new women's boutique. There were already of-the-moment clothes on the racks and shelves! She's picked out items by Parameter, Three Dots, Nicole Miller, Autumn Cashmere, Ted Dufresne, Beth Bowley (a brand I love that's sold at Anthropologie - I miss shopping at its Georgetown and Rockville locations), perfect-fit DL1961 Jeans, and Charlotte Tarantola. The store will also offer bags by Magnes Sisters and jewelery by QVC darling Kenneth Jay Lane. She opened a huge box of new Cosabella lingerie while we were there, tearing into it like it was Christmas morning, cooing over the designs and fabrics. One pair of leggings looks like a pair of jeans! There's a selection of clothing in every price range, and in many (real) sizes.

You'll find only a couple of the lines she's carrying on racks in other retail stores in the Valley (Loose Threads Boutique and Sage are two of them), and the items she has are different from those you'll find even in those stores.

Kate has personally selected each item for the store, and has a story to go along with each piece or designer. She has earned her stripes working for Nicole Miller and retail stores, and really knows her stuff. The store is perfect for anyone who shops online for designer clothes, or makes occasional pilgrimages to their favorite stores in SoHo or South Street in Philly. It's also a great place to find an outfit for a special occasion; if it doesn't fit you right off the hanger, the tailor from Sew On and Sew Forth (85 E. Broad Street Bethlehem) is on call to make it work. Kate will also place special orders and help you find the perfect thing if you don't see it in the store.

The building's prime location should bring incidental tourist traffic, but it's worth the trip. If you've been around a while, you might remember when "the Alphagraphics building" burned in 2005. A new building replaced it, then plans for Serpico Mediterranean and Pangaea Champagne and Sushi Lounge fell through. Sophistikate is the building's first tenant (other than its owner's office suite upstairs). Check out the store's web site - it's beautifully-designed and very informative.