Saturday, December 26, 2015
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Chanukah on the Delaware nightly riverside candle lighting in New Hope kicks off Dec. 6
Chanukah on the Delaware will kick off its second annual nightly lighting of the menorah candles in New Hope on Sunday, Dec. 6, and continue the ritual every evening at 6 p.m. until Dec. 13 in the park next to the New Hope-Lambertville Free Bridge. Here’s all the basic facts:
What is it?
Chanukah on the Delaware is an annual non-profit community-based event celebrating the diversity and unity of Lambertville, New Hope and the Delaware Valley. Each night’s event is hosted by a different area organization, and typically consists of a short historical intro, blessings, menorah candle lighting, and a brief sing-along, with complimentary refreshments and treats.
When?
Every night from Dec. 6 – 13 at 6 p.m. Event lasts around 30 minutes.
Where?
At the park on the New Hope side of the New Hope-Lambertville Free Bridge (across from Starbucks). The bridge serves as a metaphor for the bridges we’re building between our towns and faiths.
Who’s going?
Everyone is invited to attend, and we’ve scheduled guest hosts from surrounding communities to make each of the eight nights of Chanukah unique!
Why?
Because the world can always use some extra light and love.
How?
Sponsored by Kehilat HaNahar, New Hope Free Press, and Bucks County Jewish Coalition in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and made possible through the generosity of Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Cockamamie’s, First Federal of Bucks County, and the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, along with the invaluable assistance of New Hope Public Works.
Who are the guest hosts?
12/6 – Kehilat HaNahar
12/7 – Congregation Brothers of Israel
12/8 – Doylestown Hadassah
12/9 – Congregation Tifereth Israel & Kol Emet
12/10-Congregation Beth El
12/11- Bucks County Jewish Coalition
12/12- Ohev Shalom of Bucks County
12/13- Shir Ami
Friday, October 9, 2015
Rrazz Room moving to Raven; Ramada New Hope owner switching to new franchise
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| Ramada New Hope |
By Charlie Sahner
Said Ramada New Hope owner Thomas Frank, “We’re considering a change
to Choice Hotels. Our five-year contract with Ramada is up, and we’re
interested in taking advantage of the Choice Hotels system, but we’ll be
a Wyndham Ramada right up until a certain date.”
Brands under the Choice Hotel banner include Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, EconoLodge, and Rodeway Inn.
“We’re going to do our own thing,” added Frank. “We’ve had offers for new entertainment, but we want to be a good neighbor to nearby residents. I’ve enjoyed working with Rrazz Room owner Robert Kotonly, and he’s a great guy.
“The community has responded to our approach, and we’ve turned into a full-fledged hotel, rather than a bar,” continued Frank. “New Hope is growing into a world-class destination, and we’re making our place an enjoyable stop from which to explore New Hope and Bucks County during the week, or over the weekend.” The Ramada Inn New Hope is located at 6426 Route 202.
Robert Kotonly and Rorry Paul own four Rrazz Rooms around the country, and their last show at the Ramada location will be on Oct. 17.
“We moved here in 2013, and have had a good two years, but it’s more important where you are than what you’re bringing in,” observed Kotonly.
“An opportunity came up when our lease was over, and a Rodeway Inn is not a good fit with running a cabaret/night club. The new owner of the Raven knew about the Rrazz Room, and we talked about collaborating,” Kotonly recounted.
“It was a ‘perfect storm,'” he said. “There’s big things coming at the Raven.”
Kotonly is not alone in his opinion. New Hope’s Raven at 385 W. Bridge St. is already an entertainment complex in and of itself, and new owner Steve Lau is slowly building his vision of the neighborhood as an emerging hot spot.
Said Lau, “The more we can make this area a local enclave, the better.”
The first Rrazz Room show at the Raven is scheduled for Nov. 14.
“We’re already planning a stage in the Oak Room, along with another space, and there will be a slight revamp of the restaurant,” said Lau. “It’s kind of a no-brainer — once a stage is ready, they would be my first call, and they called and beat me to it!”
“I’m a big admirer of what they do around the country,” he added.
When rumors of the change of ownership at the Raven began circulating some months ago, a popular variation involved the purported purchase of the business by a New York City nightclub owner. While Lau has lived in New York, he’s more of a local boy than most folks realize: he grew up in Hershey, where he helped form indie rock band Ocean Blue in 1986, playing keyboards and saxophone. Lau’s also owned a house in Carversville for the last 15 years, along with a record label or two.
“I come from a musical family– I think that’s my value add,” he said. “But I’m just a keeper in a long line. Everything we do is with an eye to the past, and keeping the heart of it.”
“This place is magical,” continued Lau. “Especially when everybody’s singing on a Friday or Saturday night.
“We’re going to bring nationally-renowned talent to the Raven.”
Three major New Hope businesses making three seemingly shrewd business decisions, as they position themselves for what promises to be an interesting and potentially lucrative future.
Brands under the Choice Hotel banner include Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, EconoLodge, and Rodeway Inn.
“We’re going to do our own thing,” added Frank. “We’ve had offers for new entertainment, but we want to be a good neighbor to nearby residents. I’ve enjoyed working with Rrazz Room owner Robert Kotonly, and he’s a great guy.
“The community has responded to our approach, and we’ve turned into a full-fledged hotel, rather than a bar,” continued Frank. “New Hope is growing into a world-class destination, and we’re making our place an enjoyable stop from which to explore New Hope and Bucks County during the week, or over the weekend.” The Ramada Inn New Hope is located at 6426 Route 202.
Robert Kotonly and Rorry Paul own four Rrazz Rooms around the country, and their last show at the Ramada location will be on Oct. 17.
“We moved here in 2013, and have had a good two years, but it’s more important where you are than what you’re bringing in,” observed Kotonly.
“An opportunity came up when our lease was over, and a Rodeway Inn is not a good fit with running a cabaret/night club. The new owner of the Raven knew about the Rrazz Room, and we talked about collaborating,” Kotonly recounted.
“It was a ‘perfect storm,'” he said. “There’s big things coming at the Raven.”
Kotonly is not alone in his opinion. New Hope’s Raven at 385 W. Bridge St. is already an entertainment complex in and of itself, and new owner Steve Lau is slowly building his vision of the neighborhood as an emerging hot spot.
Said Lau, “The more we can make this area a local enclave, the better.”
 |
| The Raven |
“We’re already planning a stage in the Oak Room, along with another space, and there will be a slight revamp of the restaurant,” said Lau. “It’s kind of a no-brainer — once a stage is ready, they would be my first call, and they called and beat me to it!”
“I’m a big admirer of what they do around the country,” he added.
When rumors of the change of ownership at the Raven began circulating some months ago, a popular variation involved the purported purchase of the business by a New York City nightclub owner. While Lau has lived in New York, he’s more of a local boy than most folks realize: he grew up in Hershey, where he helped form indie rock band Ocean Blue in 1986, playing keyboards and saxophone. Lau’s also owned a house in Carversville for the last 15 years, along with a record label or two.
“I come from a musical family– I think that’s my value add,” he said. “But I’m just a keeper in a long line. Everything we do is with an eye to the past, and keeping the heart of it.”
“This place is magical,” continued Lau. “Especially when everybody’s singing on a Friday or Saturday night.
“We’re going to bring nationally-renowned talent to the Raven.”
Three major New Hope businesses making three seemingly shrewd business decisions, as they position themselves for what promises to be an interesting and potentially lucrative future.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Yes, it's that cold: Photo of New Hope PA during cold snap of February
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Recently arrested Risoldi family members depicted in Romanesque ceiling painting at their mansion (New Hope Free Press)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Steam engine in the snow in New Hope, PA
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| Steam engine of New Hope and Ivyland Railroad making its way in snow (Photo: Charlie Sahner) |
Saturday, January 17, 2015
...it doesn't have to be a snowman
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| Woman skater with hockey stick on New Hope, PA section of Delaware Canal (Photo: Charlie Sahner) |
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Is the New Hope visitor’s center closing for good?
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| New Hope Visitor's Center (Photo: Charlie Sahner) |
Said a volunteer, “We’re not sure what’s going to be happening.”
Seems that the folks at Visit Bucks County, a marketing agency in Bensalem that currently runs the place, have gotten tired of using New Hope’s only information center and free public bathroom as a conduit for sending tourists elsewhere in Bucks. “The New Hope location will be closing effective January 1,” pronounces their website.
And the Borough, who owns the property and is willing to rent it for a song to any responsible group willing to staff it, appears unable to locate one.
The indefinitely AWOL New Hope Chamber of Commerce has considered doing something, although the remaining few appear more focused on a rumored merger with Lambertville’s chamber, according to sources close to the group. The New Hope Business Alliance likewise has announced no plans to keep the visitor’s center afloat, although rumors of potential rescuers abound.
So for now, it appears that operation of the facility will take a hiatus, and January is certainly not the worst time of year for that to happen.
More problematic longer-term is the large number of potential and actual visitors who phone or walk into the visitor’s center every day looking for a place to wash up or a recommendation on a store, restaurant or accommodation. That unfulfilled need, along with a rudderless business community and more competitive tourism market, will only add to the existing stress on New Hope’s commercial sector.
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