A 'C'mon, Man!' For Toyota

Looking for something other than a Camry from one of the world's largest automakers.

My car’s rear seats don’t fold down. They did on my previous car, which was a coupe version of my current car, but my car’s first owner didn’t pony up the money for the cold-weather package … so now I’m stuck with a small trunk and no headlamp washers.  First world problems, I know. And because my seats don’t fold down, whenever I want to go skiing, or surfing, or just carry a long stick in my vehicle, I’ve got to run to my mother. She drives a 2001 Toyota RAV4. It’s cavernous, can plow through 2 feet of snow with its gas-guzzling, always-on 4-wheel drive system and 70-series tires, and is probably the slowest vehicle I’ve ever driven. I’m always welcome to drive it when I need to take a tortuous trip to Ikea and I love it.  But, being a …

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Mischa Arnosky

1:37 am on Saturday, May 25, 2013

Whoa, Jack. This is a tongue-in-cheek piece meant to say that the Toyota corporation, and its subsidiaries, don't have an iconic, supercar anymore. I actually like the BRZ/FR-S a lot, but it is a bit underpowered. As for the photo, the caption, clearly says that it's a BRZ. I guess you missed that.   more ›

What's Your Favorite Lower Saucon Restaurant and Why?

Most people have a restaurant that is their favorite place at which to eat out. Whether it's delicious food, amazing service or a cozy atmosphere, tell us what makes your favorite Lower Saucon Township restaurant so special.

Lower Saucon Township* Restaurants *To post a comment about your favorite Hellertown restaurant, click here. To write a review about any of the restaurants listed below, click on a name. Yianni's Taverna Casa Mia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant Starters Pub Red Brick Grille (Revolutions at Saucon Valley) Feasta Pizza Bagel Basket No. 1 Chinese Restaurant Mario's Pizza Cafe China Moon Subway (Route 378) Subway (Route 412) Oriental Gourmet Dunkin' Donuts

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slyfox

9:35 am on Friday, May 24, 2013

Paprika's on Main St. Great wholesome food for low prices. Their stuffed cabbage is big enough for 2 or 3 and the Chicken Paprikash is to die for. Good food prepared simply and professionally.   more ›

Letters to the Editor

PennDOT Has Imposed 'Havoc' on Hellertown [Letter]

Christine Widgren of Hellertown has written a letter to Gov. Tom Corbett about the traffic situation along Route 412 at the borough's north end, which she says constitutes 'a severe crisis of public safety.'

Note: The following letter is addressed to Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett. A copy of the letter was shared by its author with Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch. Governor Corbett:  I am requesting that your office investigate the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's actions as they relate to the project of widening of Route 412 in Hellertown/Bethlehem.  I have never in my life seen such a traffic debacle that was done on purpose. Bad weather, serious accidents—I can understand. But this is beyond belief. I refuse to question the "planning" because whatever was done has nothing to do with the definition of "planning." We are in a severe crisis of public safety. We have been invaded and occupied by barricades and heavy equipment. It …

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Christine Widgren

10:33 am on Friday, May 24, 2013

When I try to take an alternate route into Easton, I encounter "Road Closed" barricades along Industrial Drive and try another route through Glendon along the Lehigh and there are massive barricades and closed roads and bridges there as well. Add to that the High Street debacle where work has not even started yet. But the Rail Trail advocates must be happy....now they can walk anywhere they want …   more ›

Pa. Voters Don't Support Legalizing Marijuana

One poll suggests that, while Pennsylvania voters might support medical marijuana use, they aren't in favor of legal pot.

Pennsylvania voters aren't in favor of legalizing marijuana, according to a recent poll. The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that 54 percent of voters polled opposed to legalizing marijuana in the state.  A similar F&M Poll at the beginning of February found that 55 percent of respondants were against legalizing marijuana. While voters don't support its outright legalization, 82 percent of those polled favor the use of marijuana for medical reasons if prescribed by a doctor. The poll, which was conducted between April 30 and May 5, gathered responses from 526 registered voters, including 265 Democrats, 196 Republicans and 65 Independents. The full poll is available for review here. The following…

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slyfox

12:58 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013

Well, no one asked ME. Legalize it already & reap the benefits. Oh yeah, that's right. They won't for their kickbacks from the medical labs won't be there. Think of the moolah the kickbacks on the pot would be! Oy vey!!! Bring it on. So much false info is out there about pot it makes my head spin. And I'm not even high. In college I never EVER saw a mean and arrogant person after smoking weed. I …   more ›

McNabb is Greatest Quarterback in Philadelphia Eagles History

Former Quarterback Donovan McNabb announced this week that he is going to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle.

With the Philadelphia Eagles in mini-camp this week, a lot has been discussed about the team's quarterbacks. Who will emerge as the starter among Michael Vick, Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley. But then another quarterback's name entered the picture. And while he's not fighting for a roster spot, he's gunning for a legacy in Philadelphia Eagles history. Donovan McNabb announced this week his intentions to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle. And the team is planning a ceremony that will enable McNabb to be honored with Coach Andy Reid and his new team the Kansas City Chiefs in town. Ah, No. 5 and Big Red. Those were the days... And don't you miss those days? Maybe we took it for granted that McNabb put the Birds in playoff position every year…

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Helix Motorsports, the Neighborhood Tuner

Eric Savage left the VW/Audi world to work on MINIs and BMWs in Manayunk.

It’s possible to walk past Helix Motorsports on Umbria Street in Manayunk and not know what happens in the building. Nestled between row homes and close to a bar, an elementary school and a purveyor of tomato pie, Helix’s headquarters could pass as a law or a dental office. It’s modest, just the way owner Eric Savage likes it.  Savage comes across as a mellow guy, but he’s taken some risks in his career … and they seem to have paid off, as his MINI and BMW tuning business is now a pretty heavy hitter in the car community. In 2001 Savage left AWE Tuning, a Willow Grove-based VW/Audi-focused company, to start something of his own. He then bought a MINI, rented some brewery space and then moved to Manayunk.  “Basically, the way we started, we…

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Dan Reynolds

10:13 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013

Nice, I'm picking up a 2013 Clubman soon,, will stop by!   more ›

School Board Candidate Rebuts Pre-Election Opinion Piece

Saucon Valley School Board member Ralph Puerta, who is seeking re-election to the board, submitted the following rebuttal to 'The School Board Election: A Guide for the Perplexed' by Arthur Joel Katz.

It is my belief that over time most of us come to about the same place, hopefully above midpoint, on the Perfection Scale. I make my mistakes, learn, and try to do better. So does Ed Inghrim. Therefore, in response to Arthur Joel Katz's article (published May 15, 2013): I am running with Ed in this election because I have witnessed directly his genuinely valuable contribution to analysis and planning for eight years. We have a long history of talented people serving our board. You may put yourself on that list, and you are entitled to a judgment about Ed from your perspective. However, I have seen it in much closer detail for eight years. Ed is one of those talented contributors, providing a level of expertise in some areas that we have …

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The Katz Meow

The School Board Election: A Guide for the Perplexed

I'm recommending four candidates of the 11 running in the May 21 Saucon Valley School Board of Directors primary election.

The fact that 11 candidates are entered in the May 21 primary for the four seats available on the Saucon Valley School District Board of Directors indicates many of these candidates have no notion of the work entailed, and/or they believe that they have some sort of magic formula which will enable them, if elected, to reduce school taxes without harming the educational system, and/or they have a very dim idea of how complicated being a good board member can be, and/or the patience required. As Nathan Hale is alleged to have said just before he was hung as an American spy during the Revolutionary War, “Except for the honor, I’d just as soon pass.”  Seriously, a good board member must passionately believe his or her board business is to …

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Beguine

12:19 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Our family are new residents to Hellertown, and greatly appreciate the Patch, Josh Popichak, and articles like the listing of those running for SV School Board. Teachers and the people who support them (Staff) are far and above the greatest assets in our children's education. I concur with your list. This election will have the greatest influence on residents of Saucon Valley.   more ›