Three dates left for the North Pole Express at New Hope & Ivyland Railroad in New Hope

New Hope & Ivyland North Pole Express (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

I am not a train nut; they’re just awesome to photograph. This one had stinkier coal than usual, and was venting as it left downtown New Hope.

Children and adults of all ages are invited to ride the special North Pole Express they’re having these days, and sip hot cocoa and enjoy cookies while Santa visits with each child and presents them with a special gift. Not a cheap family outing, but unique and memorable.

Hourly excursions still available on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013 and Jan. 4 and 5, 2014. New Hope & Ivyland Railroad is located at 32 W. Bridge St., New Hope; (215) 862-233.

Led Zep cover band Kashmir coming to New Hope Winery

Kashmir, the best-known Led Zeppelin tribute group, is returning to the New Hope Winery for one show, one night only: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.

"Kashmir possesses the live stage show, sound, and likeness to bring audiences and fans back to the days when the mighty Led Zeppelin ruled the musical landscape," claims the group's website.

"With the playlist of every classic rock station and the most identifiable voice in rock history, Kashmir’s show features Page’s iconic double-neck guitar, Bonham’s drum solo, the stage show of the era, and most importantly, the greatest hits that make up the soundtrack to peoples’ lives.
"For those who dream and wish to experience a live Led Zeppelin show, dream no more—Kashmir will fit the bill, hitting every stop along the way, leaving you thirsty for more," they go on to say.

Kashmir:

Jean Violet (Robert Plant) – Vocals/Harp
Andy Urban (Jimmy Page) – Guitar/Theremin
Paul Cooper (John Bonham) – Drums
Felix Hanemann (John Paul Jones) – Bass/Keyboards
The New Hope Winery is located at 6123 Lower York Road (Route 202);  (215) 794-2331

Dar Williams hopes to brighten spirits at the New Hope Winery

Dar Williams (Photo: Amy Dickerson)

By Tara Lynn Johnson

They’re not concerts – they’re “connections” for musician/singer/songwriter Dar Williams.

She’ll be connecting with audiences at the New Hope Winery on Sunday, Dec. 22. She’s soon to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her first album, “The Honesty Room,” so a couple of tunes from that CD may make an appearance. She’ll also feature songs from her 2012 release “In the Time of Gods” and songs related to the holidays.

She’s looking forward to the shows, but even more to simply being among people enjoying music.
“You have the potential to create this relationship and you can feel it when it’s happening,” she said during our telephone conversation on December 12.

Even after more than 20 years, she’s not tired of it.
“There are rarely days when it doesn’t feel right,” she said. “I love performing.”

For a brief time in the mid-2000s, it felt wrong, though. She said everyone on her tour then was in a collective bad mood. The record industry was in turmoil, “but we didn’t see it coming,” she said. “There were about 10 concerts where it felt like work. I thought if this keeps up, I’ll quit.”

Not long after, she played a small venue in Quebec. The audience was laughing, having a good time. The windows steamed up; it was snowing outside. She previously had been terrified of that kind of intimacy with a smaller audience.

“But all that potential that could happen with an audience is the thing that keeps me on the stage now,” she said.

Growing up in New York state, Dar planned on being a playwright. When she moved to Boston in the early 1990s, though, the scene was all about music. She took it all in while working as an opera company stage manager.

“There was a lot of alt rock and punk, folk, even classical music happening,” she said. “I followed the music and secretly had enough passion about it that when I surfaced I could hang with the crowd.”
Since then, she has performed around the world and released more than 11 CDs (and EPs). The latest (“Gods”) emerged from an exploration of power, folly, hubris, and civilization, she said.

Sometimes, when writing, she gets a hit of inspiration and works on something excitedly, but if it’s not working, she puts the pen down, she said. She tries to put herself in a place to be inspired, but she doesn’t sit down with a blank page every day. Sometimes, when she’s stuck, she looks to nature.
“I’ll open the curtains and see the mist on the mountain and that it’s a beautiful day,” she said. “I will feel connected and find something that helps me feel excited.”

And sometimes, she writes with friends, like Rob Hyman, co-founder of The Hooters. Dar and Rob have worked together on several of her albums. He co-wrote four songs on “Gods” and played various keyboards and accordion.

“Rob is so patient. When I feel like I’m tied up in a knot, he’ll quietly sit there and play what we’ve already done and add a new chord or new perspective,” she said. “He’s the perfect collaborative partner. He’s been my muse on more than one occasion.”

Rob loves working with her and he’s impressed with her talent.

“Songwriting can be painful and prolonged sometimes, but never with Dar. She’s a terrific guitarist with a lovely and expressive voice and has a keen and confident sense of melody. She also has a great instinct for what works and what doesn’t,” he said via e-mail. “But one of her biggest strengths is her way with words. Her lyrics are consistently interesting, unusual, intriguing, [and] challenging.”

When not collaborating, writing, or performing, Dar is home with her husband, son, and daughter.

She’s stopping in New Hope one year to the day that she last played the Winery and she hopes people will find respite from all of the holiday hoopla.

She also hopes to bring light to the audience since it’s the weekend of the Winter solstice marking the end of the longest nights and shortest days of the year.

“This is a dark day that we can brighten up,” she said. “I hope people come out.”

Dar Williams
4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
The New Hope Winery, 6123 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA 18938.
Tickets: $30-$40.
215-794-2331 or http://www.newhopewinery.com/

Tibetan monks to visit New Hope PA

The Gaden Shartse Tibetan Monks from India are visiting Hunterdon County and New Hope from December 2-8, 2013. They will be performing at Delaware Valley High School and appearing at several cultural events as part of their Sacred Earth Healing Tour. Flemington and Frenchtown restaurants have also generously offered to provide lunch for the monks throughout the week. The public is invited to join them. The First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hunterdon County is sponsoring their stay.

The monks’ schedule includes a ‘Chay Drol’ Purification Ritual & Group Healing at the Cornerstone Treehouse, 419 York Rd., New Hope, on Friday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Chay Drol literally translates as “to make free of obstacles,” and is a ritual that helps to remove impediments which prevent one from achieving enlightenment, say adherents.

The ritual begins with the Lama generating himself in the form of the Buddha Tara. He then places colored strings and pieces of cloth on various parts of the participant’s body; and through ritual, one’s negativities and obstacles are fused to the strings and pieces of cloth. The Lama then uses ‘Wisdom Weapons’ to cut the obstacles from the participant, thereby freeing them and opening the door to liberation. Hokey smokes!

All donations and proceeds from their events go to support the monks in their mission to share their culture, as well as practices and paths to inner peace, compassion and tolerance. Accomplishments of previous tours have provided funds for construction of new buildings at Gaden Shartse, including the new debate hall. Additional funds raised by past tours have supported medical needs, teachers’ salaries and the day to day expenses of the monastery.

Gaden Shartse Monastic College is situated amid lush green hills and jungle in the remote countryside of southern India. It was founded in 1969 as an effort to re­establish one of the great monastic traditions of Tibet.

A small group of elder monks and 15 young boys, all of whom had managed to escape the destruction in Tibet, settled on land given to them by the Indian government in Mundgod, Karnataka. Today, it is at the forefront of the revival of Tibetan Monastic education with more than 1,600 resident students, teachers, scholars, and spiritual practitioners. Due to the success of the academic program and the quality of the teachers at the monastery, Shartse has established a reputation as being the leader in the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies.

More than 70% of the members are between the ages of 10 and 25 and 80% of these were born in Tibet. To this day, young monks arrive at the Monastery weekly from Tibet seeking shelter and education. More information can be found on their website at www.GadenShartseCulturalFoundation.org and www.hunterdonuu.org/monks.

Dr. John plays to packed house at Havana in New Hope

Photo: Derek Bridges

By Ralph Smith

Flashback to the spring of 1968: I’m walking down Haight Street in San Francisco and pass two Hell’s Angels lounging on their bikes, swapping a large jug of wine. The larger and uglier of the two waved me over with that sort of undeniable authority the older Angels have. I was at ease with the situation, but the twosome seemed pleasantly bemused by their wine, so I moved a little closer.

“Here,” said the older and uglier one, thrusting two ticket stubs at me.  “We’re too loaded to go.”
In my hand were two tickets to Dr. John the Night Tripper at the Carousel Ballroom about a month after the Gris-Gris came out, and quite a night it was.

Wednesday at Havana I saw Dr. John again for the first time in 45 years, and I have to say he may not have the same smoke and incense voodoo show as he did that night at the Carousel, but he has lost none of his chops.

It was an amazing evening of music. At 73, the Doctor still has the same fluid, slightly-behind-the-beat piano style of years gone by. Playing a beautiful six-foot black grand piano and a small Nord synthesizer, he led his band through a stellar evening which included tunes like Walk On Guilded Splinters (a personal favorite), Right Place – Wrong Time, and Such A Night, before reeling out some wonderfully sly blues on guitar (his primary instrument before his left ring finger was injured by a gunshot while defending singer/keyboardist Ronnie Barron some years ago).

His five-piece band did a solid job of backing him up, with Ben Alleman on organ, Dwight Bailey on bass, Reggie Jackson (no, not that Reggie Jackson) on drums and Dave Yoke on guitar. Special mention should be made of the Doctor’s musical director and brilliant trombonist, Sarah Morrow, who ripped the doors off the place with her stellar trombone playing.

Mark Stevens, general manager of Havana, and producer Dave Maida did a fine job of putting the show together. Sound quality was excellent, and the band was well set. Seating was by rows of chairs, and worked quite well. Down front seats ran $75, and the rest were $50. There were no blocked sight lines.

All in all, a wonderful evening.

Dr. John at Havana
Production by Dave Maida Presents
Audio by AG Audio
Band Equipment by Clair Bros. Backline

Exclusive: New Hope-Solebury School Board to hold special meeting Oct. 7, backs off night game ban

(Photo: Dennis Manoogian)

By Charlie Sahner

The New Hope-Solebury School Board appeared to blink Thursday night.

According to an agenda issued Thursday evening, a proposal will be discussed and opened for discussion and possible vote under which “It is recommended that the Board of School Directors rescind the September 16, 2013 Board vote to turn off the lights at the current stadium field after the fall 2013/2014 sports season.”

A special public meeting of the New Hope-Solebury School Board to be be held on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the NH-S High School theater regarding night games at stadium field had been confirmed by the NH-S superindent’s office Thursday morning.

The meeting is being held to address a growing community controversy first reported by the Free Press surrounding the New Hope-Solebury School Board’s approval of a surprise measure last month to ban nighttime games at stadium field after the fall season. The measure had neither been listed on the Sept. 16 meeting agenda nor advertised to the public.

The Oct. 7 agenda goes on to propose “that the Board of School Directors endorse the development of such an artificial turf, stadium field, at the field 13 location with the understanding that the costs of this project beyond architectural planning will be private funded.

“It is further recommended that the Board authorize the Administration to contract David Horn of Architerra Architects, at a cost not to exceed $14,460, to develop a plan for such a field, and a cost not to exceed $1,200 for reimbursable expenses,” the agenda goes on to say. “The plan will be inclusive of all necessary steps, infrastructure needs, regulatory and environmental analyses requirement procedures, and New Hope Borough permit requirement procedures as outlined in the Architerra proposal dated September 10, 2013.

“It is recommended that the Board of School Directors rescind the September 16, 2013 Board vote to turn off the lights at the current stadium field after the fall 2013/2014 sports season,” the agenda concludes.

The subject of New Hope-Solebury’s sports fields has been contentious in recent years, as the school district is under-served in terms of practice and event space, which in turn can exacerbate Title IX compliance issues that seek to provide equal access to facilities for boys and girls.

And several residents of the adjacent Riverstone Circle community have been very vocal on what they view as excessive light during night games, although those complaining to police also include residents and at least one business on West Bridge Street, Kiltie Drive and other nearby streets upset with sound levels, say law enforcement officials.

Canceling nighttime games would affect several sports teams at New Hope-Solebury because of the shortage of playing fields there and the necessity to reschedule numerous athletic events involving players, referees and athletic staff at other school districts.

Judy Finn, a local community activist who has organized a Facebook page to help overturn the School Board’s decision, said, “I’m thrilled and hopeful the board is doing their job in listening to the public, and look forward to hearing the rationale for their decision and to seeing the public formally present their opinions.”

(Update 6:30 p.m.)
Board of School Directors
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT
180 West Bridge Street New Hope, Pennsylvania
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING AGENDA
October 7, 2013 7:00 PM – District Office Conference Room
I.    CALL TO ORDER
II.    PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III.    ROLL CALL
IV.    OLD BUSINESS
Board Discussion
Public Discussion
Action Items Plant & Equipment
1.    It is recommended that the Board of School Directors approve the following Resolution regarding the endorsement of an artificial turf, stadium field at the Field 13 location and to contract with Architerra Architects as more specifically set forth in the Resolution:
V. Whereas, the school district’s current stadium field is the district’s only tier 1 field as designated by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the district has been diligently working with OCR to provide equitable use of that field as required by Title IX federal law; and
Whereas, the district’s 2010 campus master plan draft calls for an additional, artificial turf, stadium field to become the primary tier 1 stadium field and also designated field 13, near the UES, as the optimal campus location for lights and sound as well as an optimal solution to the shortage of athletic fields; and
Whereas significant community support has stepped forward to present clear intention to privately raise the funds for the new stadium field and voiced an initial commitment of over $360,000 to date with additional funds in the process of being confirmed,
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
It is recommended that the Board of School Directors endorse the development of such an artificial turf, stadium field, at the field 13 location with the understanding that the costs of this project beyond architectural planning will be private funded.
It is further recommended that the Board authorize the Administration to contract David Horn of Architerra Architects, at a cost not to exceed $14,460, to develop a plan for such a field, and a cost not to exceed $1,200 for reimbursable expenses. The plan will be inclusive of all necessary steps, infrastructure needs, regulatory and environmental analyses requirement procedures, and New Hope Borough permit requirement procedures as outlined in the Architerra proposal dated September 10, 2013.
It is recommended that the Board of School Directors rescind the September 16, 2013 Board vote to turn off the lights at the current stadium field after the fall 2013/2014 sports season.
ADJOURNMENT

New Hope-Solebury School Board bans night games

By Charlie Sahner

In a move that left many around New Hope and Solebury slack-jawed in disbelief, the New Hope-Solebury School Board voted on Monday to turn off the lights at stadium field after the fall season.

Board Member Alison Kingsley made the surprise motion, which had neither been listed on the agenda nor publicly advertised, and it was seconded by John Vaughn. Marleen Panzika, Valerie Mitchell, and Kurt Zander joined them in voting in favor of the motion. School Board President Amanda Elefante had left the room at the time of the vote, and Board Member Susan Atkinson represented the lone vote against the measure. Joseph Harraka and Jonathan Adar were not in attendance at the meeting.

The subject of New Hope-Solebury's sports fields has come up frequently in recent years, as the school district is under-served in terms of practice and event space, which in turn can exacerbate Title IX compliance issues that seek to provide equal access to facilities for boys and girls. Additionally, some nearby neighbors have complained about the level of light and sound associated with nighttime sports events. One plan to address these concerns involved building a stadium funded substantially by private donations in an area referred to as Field 13. Key advantages of Field 13 are its distance from neighboring residents and its excellent topography, say plan advocates.

It was that proposal to pursue a stadium at Field 13 that was under consideration on the night of Sept. 16. School officials had previously taken measures to placate neighbors, including limiting pregame music, cutting overall sound amplification levels in half, and shutting down field lights by 9:30 p.m. after each game. Nonetheless, the Board voted down the compromise plan, and then went a step further, effectively banning night games altogether starting in the spring.

Despite multiple attempts, as of press time, no member of the New Hope-Solebury School Board or its counsel had provided an explanation or rationale for their vote that night to this publication. Three individuals close to the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the School Board is not in receipt of any litigation by disgruntled neighbors.

Elefante, who did not vote, said in a statement, "My expectation was that the Board would take action on the resolution on the agenda with discussion on whether field #13 or field #12 would be selected. I had spent an hour on the phone that day with Dave Horne from [athletic facilities consultant group] Architerra reviewing the potential of this deliberation and ensuring that he came prepared for it.

"Over the past two years, I have facilitated discussions as Board President on issues around Field #2, but I have chosen to recuse myself from Board discussion, and from making any public comments, and have abstained on voting. Since I was serving as Board President, and I am also a neighbor, I felt it was the best decision," she added.

Board Member Joseph Harraka said he was "blindsided" by the vote, which he called an "unfortunate decision which I would have adamantly opposed."

"During the previous Board meeting we seemed to be heading toward striking middle ground and coming up with a win-win compromise. It's not just about sports games, it's about the sense of community spirit and the chance for working people to be part of that. This action will signal to the greater community that we're pandering to a limited contingent, and will undermine the confidence in and credibility of the Board. This action should have been undertaken through the normal course, including soliciting the commentary of the community," he continued.

Concluded Harraka, "I believe the decision is procedurally defective."

Peter Malamis, chairman of the New Hope-Solebury Education Fund said, "After all we've been through with this board, this eleventh-hour approach is disappointing, but not surprising. In fact, it's standard operating procedure and this kind of governance is why the incumbents running for re-election couldn't even make it out of the primary.

"There are a myriad of solutions to the concerns of a handful of neighbors that as a member of the task force that worked with them I know for a fact are acceptable to them -- solutions that don't negatively impact taxpayers, parents, and students like this one does. With all the pressing academic needs of our district, this is the last issue we should be spending time and money on. I look forward to the new board in December that knows better what our priorities should be and how to properly get things done," he added.

Raymond Boccuti, superintendent of schools for the New Hope-Solebury School District, commented, "We want to be the best neighbors we can. I'm also interested in whatever is best for the students, and we need more fields. What's nice is that members of the community are offering to help pay, so no one loses."


That is, of course, if the decision is reversed at the next School Board meeting scheduled for Oct. 21 and open to the public. Should the decision stand, the Athletic Department will be forced to undo a schedule that is approximately 75% complete to accommodate the ban on night games next spring, and the teenagers of New Hope and Solebury will have to find other ways to keep themselves occupied in the evening.

New Hope Election 2013: On the campaign trail with mayoral candidate Donna Deely

Pudge Cakes Owner Elisa Fusco (L) shakes hands with New Hope mayoral candidate Donna Deely (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

We caught up with Donna Deely, Democratic candidate for mayor of New Hope, while she was campaigning on North Main Street.

Her goal for the day? "I'm out here meeting and greeting some of the business owners and trying to understand some of their concerns for this very important upcoming election," said Deely.

And what is she hearing from business owners? Said Deely, "Some of the comments are about the vacant storefronts, and others spoke of their desire to see the mule barges running again."

Oh, in case you're wondering, that's oven-fresh sweet cheese bread on the top shelf behind them.

New Hope mayor refuses to officiate same-sex wedding

New Hope, PA Mayor Larry Keller won't preside over gay weddings

By Charlie Sahner
New Hope Free Press

Amid the typical discussions about zoning and amplified music at this week’s borough council meeting in New Hope was mention of an Aug. 16 letter from Mayor Larry Keller to council in which he explained the reasons for his declining the recent request “by two gentlemen to officiate their wedding.”

The letter went on to say, “As part of the official duties of the office of the elected mayor of New Hope Borough, I am permitted by law to  solemnize marriages between persons who produce a marriage license issued by any County Clerk of Orphans’ Court. This authorization is not mandatory. A Mayor is not obligated to officiate any wedding.

“Since mid-July, 2013 the Montgomery County Clerk of Orphans’ Court has been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Montgomery County Clerk of Orphans’ Court has been sued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health over these marriages…and there are other lawsuits pending in Pennsylvania on the constitutionality of same sex marriages.

“Due to these outstanding lawsuits,” the letter continued, “I must respectfully decline to officiate a marriage for these licenses issued by the Montgomery County Clerk of Orphans’ Court. While I fully respect the desire of these individuals to marry, as mayor, my first obligation is to New Hope Borough. I cannot, in good conscience, put New Hope Borough and myself at legal risk for breach of my official duties as mayor of New Hope Borough until the lawsuits are resolved.”

Indeed, a Pennsylvania court will hear arguments next month on Governor Corbett’s move to halt a Montgomery county official from issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Corbett says the clerk and others are violating the state’s one-man, one-woman marriage law and has gone to Commonwealth Court via the State Health Department to try and stop Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes from issuing the same-sex marriage licenses.

Hanes has issued licenses to more than 130 same sex-couples since July, saying that Pennsylvania’s marriage law is “arbitrary and suspect.” He began issuing marriage licenses after Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced she would not defend the state’s 1996 law prohibiting same-sex marriage in a federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union because she believes the law is “unconstitutional.”

Professor of Law at Widener Law School John G. Culhane specializes in the rights of same-sex  couples, and after reading Keller’s letter, sympathized with the difficult balance the mayor apparently must strike between showing respect for the requesting couple and his concern over potential litigation. “Hypothetically, if he were to officiate a wedding involving people who clearly don’t have the capacity to marry, like minors, there could be legal consequences — the marriage could be declared invalid or he could be ordered never again to issue a marriage license — but likely not much beyond that.”

But generally, for a mayor officiating a same-sex wedding, Culhane said, “Is there a risk of serious consequences? Probably no.”

Donna Deely, the Democratic contender for Republican Keller’s job in an election scheduled for this November, took it a step further: “If I am elected mayor I will officiate same-sex weddings. I think the risk there is minimal, and it’s the right thing to do, not only because it reflects the current prevailing legal winds and the country is moving in that direction, but also given New Hope’s rich tradition of acceptance. That’s why we chose to live here, and in my heart of hearts, I think it’s the fair and just thing to do.”

But will officiating gay marriages expose the borough to undo risk? Says Deely, “What that clerk is doing in Montgomery County is civil disobedience, so it must be studied closely to fully understand the potential implications for the borough, but by officiating these weddings, I feel that I would be coming down on the right side. This also could help tourism, when you think of all the B&Bs, restaurants and shops.”

Eric Lee, long-time resident and business owner, said of  Keller potentially officiating same-sex weddings, “He wouldn’t be legally responsible because he’s doing it privately. Larry Keller has been and hopefully will continue to be a supporter of gay causes, and always a friend to the gay community, which is why I don’t understand his position.

“I’ve been voting for him every time he’s run for mayor, and now I’m going to second guess that,” continued Lee.

Countered Keller in an interview, “This is not just about me and my conscience. I support freedom to marry for same sex couples.” Keller says he also  applied “a couple of weeks ago” to be included in the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry website listing, where he is currently not displayed among the 15 Pennsylvania signers.

Keller’s reluctance to engage in activity that may draw litigation seems to be founded in personal experience: he was questioned some years ago during a politically-charged environment about the propriety of the charitable donation of marriage fees he had collected, a charge he defended “at great personal cost.” Keller said he sought the advice of Borough Solicitor T.J. Walsh in this marriage request, who said “You don’t want to touch this. If he [Hanes] did something they said is illegal, you are going to be an accessory to an illegality.”

Said the mayor of the potential for lawsuits stemming from officiating same-sex marriages, “T.J. believes the risk is substantial.”

David S. Cohen, associate professor of law at Drexel University’s Earle Mack School of Law disagreed. “There is no clear decision from any binding court in Pennsylvania or the Federal court about the state’s marriage law, but officials like Attorney General Kathleen Kane and Montgomery County Clerk Hanes both have decided that the marriage law is unconstitutional. As a law professor and one of the attorneys representing same-sex couples in Montgomery County, I agree wholeheartedly,” said Cohen.

“If the mayor doesn’t want to go along with what the Attorney General and Montgomery County Clerk are doing, he will find himself on wrong side of history,” added Cohen.

Said Daniel Brooks, founder and president of New Hope Celebrates, which serves the LGBTA community of New Hope and Bucks County, “My feeling is that the mayor basically doesn’t want the borough to be dragged into same-sex lawsuits pending in Pennsylvania. My recommendation is that he talk to and poll as many people as possible so his decision reflects what constituents really want.”

New Hope Chamber of Commerce effort to ‘combat motorcycle noise’ causes business backlash

By Charlie Sahner

When New Hope Chamber of Commerce President Connie Gering announced a “Rev It Down” campaign last week to “try to combat the motorcycle noise in a way that respects both residents and those motorcyclists who do obey our noise ordinance,” she knew she was wading into contentious waters. After all, noise, and particularly motorcycle noise, has been a hot button issue in New Hope for decades.

But Gering, who also serves as Chairperson of the Borough’s Revitalization Committee, Co-Chair of New Hope for Our Canal, and is a candidate for a seat on New Hope Borough Council in November, says she believes that resident pressure for a quieter town could have resulted in more draconian enforcement measures against motorcyclists, and that the Rev It Down campaign is a good compromise that respects the 97-98% of motorcyclists “who obey our noise ordinance.”

“The campaign was initiated after a Revitalization Committee meeting where residents wanted to return to an era when motorcyclists were being targeted for ticketing,” said Gering. “Our goal with Rev It Down is to deal with the situation in a kinder manner with signs and a message that was designed by a fellow rider.”

Not everyone in New Hope’s business community, however, agrees that lessening motorcycle sound levels should be a high-priority issue for the area’s largest business group.

Joel Roberts, local resident and owner of Mechanic Street Mugs at 10 W. Mechanic St. said, “New Hope is not a quiet little New England town. If you don’t like a little noise, music, cars or people yelling from across the street, you don’t like New Hope.”

Jim Miscisin, owner of Affordable Art in the Four Seasons Mall, agreed, saying, “As a long-time merchant that has been located on both sides of town, I do not believe that motor cycle noise is significant enough to warrant any campaign to reduce it.”

Jeffrey Frydman, local resident and real estate developer went a step further, saying, “The bikers are keeping Main Street alive.”

But a bartender at a Main Street establishment who asked not to be identified because he hadn’t discussed the matter with management, said of the Rev It Down initiative, “What does revving do anyway? I’m in favor of the signs. Nothing against motorcycles…just revving.”

And an employee of a South Main Street retail business, who likewise requested not to be named because he wasn’t authorized to speak on behalf of his employer, said of motorcycles, “They’re annoying as hell, but they should be allowed.”

Two employees of a downtown restaurant disagreed with each other over the Chamber’s action. Said the first, “There’s no need to sit and rev in idle.”

The other, who also asked not to be identified, said, “The Chamber has no conception of helping downtown businesses, in fact, they’re doing everything they can to harass our customers and drive them away.”

Gering defended the Chamber of Commerce initiative, saying “The motorcycle visitors are an important asset to the business community of this town and we welcome them. There are only a small percentage of motorcyclists who choose to rev up their bikes while on our streets and we are asking them to wait until they are leaving town to do so.”

But long-time resident and owner of Mystikal Tymes Eric Lee at 127 S. Main St. said of the “Rev It Down” signs displayed about New Hope streets, “It’s the most ridiculous thing…it’s an oxymoron – you can’t ‘rev down’.”

Carl Glassman, owner of New Hope’s popular Wedgwood Inn, said of motorcyclists, “They are part of the New Hope landscape, and they are a welcome ingredient of the larger New Hope experience.”

Loretta M. Johnson, owner of the Surrender shop at 11 W. Mechanic St., summed up the sentiments of many interviewed for this article, saying, “Part of the character of New Hope is the noise – bikes, trucks, radios, guitars – the noise adds to the town. Once in a while it can be a little too noisy and disruptive to other people, however, there are people coming to town that enjoy the sounds and sights New Hope has to offer. In society today, we should be less judgmental, and certainly this is a town of acceptance of everyone.”

Kennebunkport on the Nile

Aladdin Restaurant (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

Barry, the eccentric owner of Mediterranean restaurant Aladdin, purchased a somewhat unfinished, over-sized family portrait at an estate sale this week and placed it temporarily behind an antique Middle Eastern table featuring a smoldering incense holder, creating this unlikely, surreal tableau.

P.S. I've had three falafel sandwiches there this week already. Affordably priced, using fava beans instead of chick peas, and heavy on the tahini. He's even added burgers and fries to the menu for the kids.

Aladdin is located at 82 S. Main St. in New Hope; (215) 862-1110.

Lambertville Music Hall to hold initial concert series in New Hope

By Charlie Sahner

Lambertville Music Hall will hold its initial production at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope Oct. 3-13.
 
The concert series will feature artists Travis Tritt, Ginger Baker, Ana Popovic, Joan Osborne, Casey Abrams, Eddie Money, and musical groups Jefferson Starship and Well Strung, among others. Music clinics, a comedy night, and a local talent search will round out the series.

“We are really excited about producing this event for the community and being able to showcase the extensive local talent at this concert series, said Tanya Cooper, President of the Bridge Street Foundation, which oversees the Lambertville Music Hall and Bucks County Playhouse. “This series is just as much about the community as it is about the performances,” she added.

The Lambertville Music Hall on July 10 withdrew its application to begin renovation and construction of its namesake venue in the former Baptist church on Bridge Street amid some resistance.

In a letter obtained by this publication dated June 12, the owner of Lambertville’s famed Hamilton’s Grill Room restaurant exhorts readers to “fight to save the Lambertville we all know and love.”
A chief concern discussed in the letter was parking: “Music Hall patrons will monopolize parking to the detriment of local businesses and restaurants,” it was asserted.

“Quality of life” was another theme of the document, which said, “We live and work in Lambertville because of the atmosphere — beauty, tranquilty and small town ambience. How will this be impacted by the club scene — a music hall open daily with dancing serving alcohol until 2 a.m.?”

The letter also questioned the impact of the proposed performing arts center on area real estate values. “There is a potential for a decrease in home and property values with the identification of Lambertville as a club destination.”

Music Hall organizers say the show will go on, both in terms of moving their main venue toward completion and in demonstrating to the community their value and quality as a performing arts resource.

Last night at carnival...

(Photo: Charlie Sahner)

Egyptian figurehead on amusement ride looks to the setting sun at last night's final run of the Midway Volunteer Fire Company Carnival.

Rush hour in New Hope

(Photo: Charlie Sahner)

Lambertville Music Hall withdraws application

By Charlie Sahner

The Lambertville Music Hall announced that it will “temporarily withdraw the current application that is before the Lambertville Board of Adjustment without prejudice.”

According to Lambertville Hall Foundation (LHF) President Tanya Cooper, “Hearing concerns of the community inspired our decision. We are, therefore, temporarily withdrawing our application to re-focus our efforts to best reflect the community’s input and preferences, with respect to rescuing and re-purposing this architectural landmark.

“As we have stated throughout this process, our goal continues to be focused on developing a venue that will enhance the lives of all who participate in its’ programming, while positively contributing to the quality of life in both the neighborhood and the city as a whole,” she added.

Cooper went on to say, “We are thankful for all who have taken the time and expressed genuine interest in our project to date. We are looking very forward to working collaboratively with the City to arrive at a successful resolution to produce a truly magnificent and authentic addition to the city of Lambertville”

In the same announcement, Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio commented, “I applaud the Bridge Street Foundation [parent organization of LHF] for taking this proactive step. While we all want to see the live arts flourish in Lambertville, it is obvious that this proposal had issues that needed to be addressed. I appreciate the Foundation’s commitment to our city and I look forward to working with them on a new proposal that can best meet our shared values.”

 

Stay tuned.

2013 New Hope Film Festival July 12-21

By Charlie Sahner

The New Hope Film Festival, an event that seems to be gaining momentum with each passing year, comes to town in July and features some especially interesting entries this year. For more info on dates, times, locations and the latest gossip, follow the New Hope Film Festival on Facebook.
Founded by D. F. Whipple in 2009, Marianne Speiser and Danny Sailor soon lent their skills to the event, along with Thom Michael Mulligan, an award-winning independent film producer and actor who oversees the festival’s selection process as Executive Director – Submissions. Hollywood screenwriter Mark Rosenthal serves as an ongoing festival advisor. 

The festival’s core mission is “to discover and nurture independent filmmakers, many of whom are seeking world and U.S. debuts and remain overlooked and/or under-appreciated by other forums. This broad and inclusive group includes filmmakers from outside the United States. With the exception of special events, this film festival is a competition with strict rules.”

A time of rainbows all about New Hope

Rainbow over Bucks County Theater in New Hope, PA (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

Aladdin restaurant in New Hope a winner

By Charlie Sahner

I’ll say it from the get-go: I’m impressed by this place.

The fare ranges far beyond Middle Eastern in derivation. Yes, the obligatory kabobs and falafel abound, but this is Mediterranean fusion with a decidedly Egyptian bent and pronounced Moroccan, Israeli, Greek and Italian influences.

The decor is authentic, expensive and well chosen.

The owner Barry is maniacally fastidious. One night last week he yelled at me when I tried to take his arm, “Don’t touch, don’t touch, I’m cooking tonight.” The place is spotless — they don’t pour oil or ghee over every item, and they swap out fava beans for chickpeas on the falafal…all of which means one can completely gorge oneself and not feel bloated or queasy afterwords.

The food tasted fresh, and used in simple combinations felt, well, healthy. This spot will be a blessing for vegetarians, and while not cheap, a $15 platter will feed two, so the value is there.

What’s good? Stordallia, a homemade mashed potato salad with fresh garlic, olive oil and parsley; hummus, smooth and balanced; smokey and subtle babaganoush; crisp, fresh-tasting tabbouli salad; sweetly spiced kofta; a lovely bechamel macaroni; and the oven-baked tagines (mine was made with shrimp and expertly seasoned). For dessert, I’ll be coming back for the rice pudding.

The snapshot of Alladin? Moderately priced, big portions, healthy food, good service, welcome variety. Worth a try.

Aladdin is located at 82 S. Main St. in beautiful downtown New Hope; (215) 862-1110.

Andrea McArdle returns Bucks County Playhouse in ‘Mame’

Broadway’s original “Annie,” Andrea McArdle returns to the Bucks County Playhouse in Mame, one of Jerry Herman‘s most celebrated musicals. She plays a fun-loving, wealthy eccentric whose independent lifestyle is interrupted when she is left to care for her young nephew. With a razor sharp wit and her own view of the world, she is anything but the traditional caregiver.

Lea DeLaria (On the Town, The Vagina Monologues) takes the stage as Mame’s best friend and “world’s biggest lush” Vera Charles. The score includes “Bosom Buddies,” “We Need A Little Christmas,” and “If He Walked Into My Life.”

May 23, 2013 — June 9, 2013

Tuesdays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 4pm
Thursdays at 2:30pm & 8pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Additional Sunday performance on 5/26 at 6pm

Tickets Prices:
Front Orchestra: $57.50
Middle Orchestra: $39
Rear Orchestra: $29

Aerial View of New Hope in the 1970s