🦃🏒📬 Thanksgiving Festivities, Hockey Charity, and Mail Updates

Issue #021 - November 23rd, 2023

Author

Bethlehem Local Buzz
23 Nov

In this issue of Bethlehem Local Buzz…

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
🏒 Hockey and Heart: Lehigh Valley Phantoms and WFMZ Host Coat Drive During Game Night
🎄 Bethlehem Lights Up the Holiday Season with Dual Tree Lighting Ceremonies
📬 Postal Shift: Lehigh Valley Mail May Head to Harrisburg for Processing

🐼 From the Himalayas to Pennsylvania: Red Pandas to Call Lehigh Valley Zoo Home

🌤 Bethlehem Area Weather

🎭 Bethlehem Area Events This Week

🤩 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!

And more…

WFMZ and Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ 9th Annual Coat Drive

On November 24th, Black Friday, the community of Bethlehem is invited to the 9th annual coat drive, a collaborative event by WFMZ and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the PPL Center. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., residents can donate new or gently used coats at the corner of 7th and Hamilton Streets in Allentown, with a convenient drive-thru drop-off option available. The event will feature appearances by the 69 News team and the Phantoms' mascot, meLVin, and coincides with a Phantoms game against the Providence Bruins.

Additionally, the Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem has hosted a donation drop box from November 6th to the 24th. The collected coats will benefit local Salvation Army programs, including foster care and adoption services, and S.T.A.R Bethlehem, which aids the homeless. This coat drive underscores the community's commitment to ensuring everyone stays warm during the winter, highlighting the importance of collective effort in supporting those in need.

Bethlehem Lights Up the Holiday Season with Dual Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, renowned for its historical and cultural significance, is gearing up for two consecutive tree lighting ceremonies, adding new features to its traditional Christmas festivities. The first ceremony, set for Black Friday at Payrow Plaza, organized by the Citizen’s Christmas City Committee, will showcase an extended program with a special Touchstone Theatre presentation, alongside the introduction of alcoholic beverage sales, including a unique Christmas Beer and mulled wine.

The Christmas Trellis, honoring first responders, remains a key part of the ceremony, maintaining a beloved tradition. The celebrations continue into the next evening in the SouthSide Arts District, where the tree lighting will include live music from The Beautiful Distortion, complimentary drinks, and a surprise appearance, contributing to the festive mood.

These events symbolize Bethlehem's dedication to merging its historical traditions with new, vibrant elements, ensuring the Christmas spirit thrives in the city.

Community Input Sought: USPS Considers Mail Route Redesign in Lehigh Valley

The U.S. Postal Service's plan to shift some mail processing from Lehigh Valley to Harrisburg is part of a national modernization effort. This change could lead to local mail traveling 80 miles for processing, potentially causing delays. The American Postal Workers Union has expressed concerns about the plan's efficiency. A public meeting is set for 3pm on November 30 at the Movie Tavern in Lower Macungie Township to discuss these changes and gather community input.

Red Pandas to Call Lehigh Valley Zoo Home

Lehigh Valley Zoo in Pennsylvania is embarking on an exciting new project: the construction of a habitat for red pandas, set to open in 2024. This initiative marks a significant expansion of the zoo's offerings, as it repurposes the space previously occupied by North American prairie dogs. The new habitat is being designed to meet the rigorous standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and will be developed in collaboration with the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP).

This development is part of the zoo's broader master plan, which includes introducing species native to Asia, starting with the red pandas. The choice of species from the Himalayan region is strategic, considering their adaptability to the North American climate. The zoo, a registered non-profit organization, is seeking community support to fund this ambitious project. Contributions will not only facilitate the arrival of red pandas but also enable the zoo to welcome more diverse species in the future.

Red pandas are an endangered species, with fewer than 10,000 remaining in the wild due to threats like deforestation and poaching. By providing a home for these animals, Lehigh Valley Zoo aims to contribute to their conservation and educate visitors about wildlife preservation. The zoo will also support the Red Panda Network, which works with local communities to protect red pandas in their natural habitat.


  Complete Local Sports Schedules:

This Week’s Events in Bethlehem Area…

Thurs Nov 23

🦃 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Fri Nov 24

Sat Nov 25

Sun Nov 26

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